IEQ Testing Laboratory

Huntington Beach, CA, May 10^th, 2019

Recently, the Thousand Oaks Acorn published a report about two schools that share classrooms in Thousand Oaks, California. Both were forced to temporarily cancel classes and move students due to poor conditions in several portable classrooms. According to the article, mold growth was visible and air tests found elevated levels of mold in half the classrooms tested, including one with indoor levels 30 times that of an outdoor sample.

Mold is known to produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances known as mycotoxins. Inhaling and touching mold may cause an allergic reaction in some sensitive individuals. Both dead and alive mold can cause these allergic reactions and they can be immediate or delayed. Allergic responses may include hay fever-like symptoms such as headache, sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rashes.  Repeated or a single exposure to mold, mold spores or mold fragments may cause non-sensitive individuals to become sensitive to mold. Repeated exposures have the potential to increase this sensitivity.

“Exposure to mold can also trigger an asthma attack in some people with the condition,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “For mold to grow indoors there is either going to be a moisture or humidity issue, and when this occurs, mold can begin to grow in as short as 48 hours. Controlling indoor humidity and moisture is the first step in preventing mold growth. Since it often grows in places that are out-of-sight, air and surface testing for mold can be an important step for identifying its presence in any type of building.”

California school district administrators, teachers and parents concerned about mold in their schools can turn to LA Testing. With multiple laboratories in the state, LA Testing offers a wide range of mold and other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) laboratory testing services, sampling supplies, test kits, air monitoring instruments and inspection tools.

To learn more about mold and IEQ testing or other environmental, occupational, health and safety services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. For access to indoor environmental test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, 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.