Arizona School Tackles Mold Problems in Multiple Classrooms

LA Testing offers mold and other indoor air quality (IAQ) testing services for school districts throughout Arizona and the West Coast.

Pasadena, CA

Earlier this month the Arizona Daily Star reported that mold had been discovered at the Summit View Elementary School in the Sunnyside Unified School District. According to the report mold was found in September behind a laminated poster on the wall. An inspection followed and a total of 8 classrooms are now scheduled to be remediated of the mold.

Even though the mold was not discovered until this school year there were mysterious illnesses in the classroom during the past school year. Both a teacher and at least one student had ongoing medical issues including respiratory infections, fevers, chills and asthma like conditions.

The teacher from the current school year has also had medical problems. They include itchy, red eyes and congested sinuses. The teacher also reported that about half her students have had runny noses and watery eyes.

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.”

LA Testing, an affiliate of EMSL Analytical and a leading indoor air quality testing laboratory, provides analytical services and testing supplies to help identify mold, bacteria and other microbial contaminates in schools. “The reported mold problem at the school in Arizona is an all too common occurrence,” reported Ben Sublasky, National Director of Client Services for LA Testing and EMSL Analytical. “Unfortunately many school districts have had their maintenance budgets severely restricted. This often means maintenance issues are delayed. Prevention of mold problems is the best solution, but if parents or teachers think a problem may exist, testing is the only way to confirm what’s in the air.”

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 Clients Services/Operations Manager

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

Contact via E-mail