School Demolition in Los Angeles Takes into Account the Potential Presence of Mold and Asbestos

In July, the Los Angeles Daily News published a story about plans to demolish an elementary school after it has sat empty for decades. The school is comprised of five structures and is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District. The fenced in buildings have been an eyesore for neighbors ever since it became vacant in the 1990s. The demolition project is expected to take a little over seven weeks due to the fact that the buildings are suspected of containing asbestos and mold.

Each year, thousands of buildings across California are torn down resulting in countless tons of demolition waste.  Much of this waste is inert or nonhazardous, but other debris may contain hazardous materials that may be regulated by the state and federal government. This waste, and the demolition process itself, can in some circumstances create exposure concerns for the project workers and nearby residents. This is due to the fact that depending on the scope and type of project, these materials can spread throughout the project area and even onto neighboring properties.

“In addition to asbestos and mold in old buildings slated for demolition, there are a number of other potentially hazardous substances that are frequently present,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility.  “These may include lead-based paints, materials that contain Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and even mercury.”

To protect workers and nearby residents during demolition projects, LA Testing provides sampling supplies, analytical services and air monitoring instrumentation to identify these and other airborne pollutants.  LA Testing has also sponsored an educational video about demolition projects and air quality concerns that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/iEc924Xq3ds.

To learn more about air quality and other environmental, occupational, health and safety testing services, 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 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, NVLAP, CDC ELITE, 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 Huntington Beach, San Diego, San Leandro and South Pasadena.
 

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail