University Fined by California Regulators for Asbestos Violations

Earlier this year, The Press Democrat published a story discussing how the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal-OSHA) had recently fined a University in Sonoma close to $6,000. This was the end result of the agency’s investigation into the school for asbestos-related violations connected to the removal of several long-jump tracks that contained asbestos.

According to the article, Cal-OSHA cited the public university for a total of seven violations related to the incident. This is not the first time in recent years the paper has reported about the asbestos issues at the school. Just last year, it published an article about a whistleblower trial over the past handling of asbestos-containing materials in a building on campus. In that incident, a court handed down more than $2.9 million in penalties for violations of occupational health and safety laws.

“Unfortunately, it’s all too common to find asbestos in the exterior and interior of not just homes and buildings throughout California, but also in other materials as was the case in this instance with an outdoor track that contained asbestos,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “The only way to know if a material, whether indoors or outdoors, contains asbestos fibers is to have it tested. Failure to do this could result in fines, lawsuits and may even put people’s health at risk as asbestos exposure is known to cause mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.”

To help prevent cases like this from occurring, LA Testing offers comprehensive laboratory testing services and all of the sampling supplies necessary to test materials, dust and air samples for asbestos. They even offer an easy-to-use test kit for identifying asbestos from indoor environments.

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. For access to 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

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