Identifying Occupational Allergens in Work Environments throughout California

According to WebMD, approximately 1 in 5 people in the United States have either allergy or asthma symptoms. Of the country’s population, 55% also tests positive to one or more allergens according to the website. In a large state like California, that equates to millions of people with allergies.

While people typically have control over allergens they may be exposed to in their homes, this is not always the case in the work environment. Many employees are exposed to known allergens every day they show up for work. These occupational or work-related allergies occur when workers are exposed to a substance or substances that cause them to have an allergic reaction. Reactions can occur when the allergen comes into contact with the worker through skin contact, inhalation or ingestion.

These allergic reactions could be due to environmental allergens already in the workplace, such as mold in a water damaged office building, or due to activities that expose workers to allergens from materials they come into contact with because of their profession. These allergic responses can be mild or severe.

“Workers exposed to an allergen they are sensitive to will often have a reaction within a short time period, but this is not always the case and the reaction may be delayed,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Repeated exposures to the allergen may also increase sensitivity. In addition, workers who have not previously shown symptoms of an allergic reaction to a substance may develop an allergy from exposure to it over time. Long-term exposures to some allergens can even result in the development of asthma in some people.”

Occupational allergens may be present in everything from a high rise office building or hospital to a hair salon, school, factory, construction site or even a bakery. Fortunately, there are ways to test for most known allergens in the workplace and LA Testing offers comprehensive analytical services, sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits and air monitoring instruments. They have even sponsored an educational video about occupational allergens that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/QCsNiMAZZ0E.

To learn more about environmental allergen testing or other indoor air quality (IAQ) and occupational services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. To access the full line of test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.  

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

Contact via E-mail