Fire and Smoke Damage Testing

Huntington Beach, California, March 23, 2026

LA Testing, one of California’s leading environmental and soil testing providers, welcomed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent announcement of a new soil sampling initiative in the Eaton fire area.

The voluntary initiative, funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and conducted in coordination with EPA, CalEPA, and local authorities, follows large-scale cleanup operations completed in early 2025. The effort reflects a proactive, science-based commitment to transparency, accountability, and public health protection.

“We’re encouraged by the EPA’s focus on soil quality and long-term community health after devastating wildfires,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Independent verification is critical for restoring trust and helping residents rebuild safely. LA Testing is proud to support recovery efforts through reliable soil and lead testing services.”

The EPA initiative will randomly sample residential properties in the Eaton fire burn area, with a primary focus on lead contamination, identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health as the most significant post-fire soil concern following debris removal. Key elements of the initiative include incremental composite soil sampling, collection at two depths to assess cleanup effectiveness, and property-specific results shared with homeowners and public agencies.

In addition to supporting public-sector recovery efforts, LA Testing provides soil testing for lead and other fire-related contaminants to homeowners, contractors, and agencies throughout California. With multiple locations statewide, the company offers:

• Soil analysis and sampling supplies for lead and other heavy metals, organics, and fire-related contaminants.
• Regulatory-compliant lead testing and reporting.
• Support for remediation planning, validation sampling, and compliance documentation.
• Ongoing environmental monitoring following fire damage.

For more information about LA Testing’s post-fire soil and lead testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com, or call (800) 755-1794.

 

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental, indoor air quality and material testing for mercury, asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates, and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC Elite, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health, and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, and San Diego.