Mold Closes School Library in Santa Barbara

LA Testing offers mold, bacteria and other indoor air quality (IAQ) testing services for school districts to protect students and faculty across California.

Pasadena, CA

Last month it was reported that an elementary school in Santa Barbara, California closed its library due to concerns over visible mold growth. Concerned parents have called for all 13 portable classrooms at the school to also be tested for mold contamination.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can cause illness requiring absence from school, and can cause acute health symptoms that decrease performance while at school. In addition, recent data suggest that poor IAQ can reduce a person’s ability to perform specific mental tasks requiring concentration, calculation, or memory.”

Portable classrooms, like the case in Santa Barbara, are far too common with these types of structures. This problem however is not limited to portable buildings and many traditional school structures have also faced IAQ issues. Many aging schools have seen their budgets decreased as state and local budgets get squeezed in recent years.

“The budget constraints at many of California’s schools have caused some maintenance projects to be postponed or delayed indefinitely,” reported Ben Sublasky, National Director of Client Services for LA Testing and EMSL Analytical. “Common occurrences at many schools include problems such as water infiltration, plumbing issues and HVAC failures. Each of these can lead to potential IAQ problems involving mold and other contaminants.”

LA Testing, an affiliate of EMSL Analytical, is a leading provider of testing services for school districts across California. The company has multiple locations across the state to provide accurate and rapid testing solutions to ensure California’s students and teachers are spending their days in a safe environment that’s conducive to learning.

To learn more about mold or other IAQ testing services please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 303-0047.

About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are providers of environmental testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Ben Sublasky

National Director of Client Services/Operations Manager

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

Contact via E-mail