University Ordered to Pay $2.9 Million in Penalties Following Asbestos Violations in California

Recently, The Press Democrat published an article about a whistleblower trial over the previous handling of asbestos-containing materials in a building at a California university. According to the article, the court handed down more than $2.9 million in penalties for violations of occupational health and safety laws. Some of this money will be given to faculty members and staff at the university who either worked in the building with the asbestos or had their employment impacted after raising concerns over potential exposure risks.

Unfortunately, it’s all too common to find asbestos in the exterior and interior of buildings and homes in California that were constructed up until the late 1970s. Asbestos was added to numerous building materials to increase the products’ strength and durability, and to provide insulating and fireproofing properties. A few of the many materials that may contain asbestos include fireproofing materials; attic and wall insulation; vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring; adhesives; roofing and siding shingles; textured paint and patching compounds; and hot water and steam pipes coated with asbestos materials or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape.

“The only way to know if a material or dust in a building contains asbestos fibers is to have it tested,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “This is critically important as there are a number of regulations that require asbestos-containing materials to be managed in specific ways to protect the public and workers involved with handling these materials. Failure to follow these procedures could result in people developing mesothelioma, asbestosis or lung cancer. It could also mean costly noncompliance penalties and expensive lawsuits.”

To help prevent exposures to asbestos, LA Testing offers comprehensive laboratory testing services and all of the sampling supplies necessary. They have even sponsored an educational video about malignant mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/MwejwLVBc1s.

To learn more about asbestos or other indoor air quality (IAQ), 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 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.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

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