Asbestos Exposure Concerns Raised at a University in California

In March, the Sonoma State Star published an article about asbestos concerns at a university in California. One of the university’s buildings was singled out by a staff member and a student over concerns that people teaching and taking classes there could be exposed to asbestos.

The hall was built during a time when asbestos-containing materials were commonly used during construction. According to the article, as recently as 2013 dust samples were collected that showed there were elevated levels of asbestos in close to 10% of samples taken from the building. One professor interviewed even reported that for the past three years he has worked from home when possible to “minimize his time in his office due to asbestos and health concerns.”

“Many buildings and even homes across California and the United States that were built up until the late 1970s contain materials with asbestos in both their interior and exterior,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Garden Grove facility, California’s leading asbestos testing laboratory. “As these materials age they can become friable and if disturbed they can easily become airborne. Exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma over time.”

For California residents concerned about exposure to asbestos in their schools, homes or work environment, LA Testing provides all of the sampling supplies and analytical services necessary to test building materials, dust and air samples for its presence. They have also sponsored an educational video about malignant mesothelioma and asbestos that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/lEyopPp9Ck4.

To learn more about asbestos testing services or other indoor air quality (IAQ), occupational, environmental, health and safety issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. 

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 substances.  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, Sierra Madre, Garden Grove, San Leandro and San Diego.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 8563032503

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