California Inspectors Visit Senior Home due to Asbestos Concerns Following Popcorn Ceiling Repair

Late last year, the NBC affiliate in Los Angeles published a report about inspectors from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) visiting a senior home in Mission Hills. The inspectors were summoned to investigate popcorn ceilings that were being repaired after water damaged them the previous week.

According to the report, after the inspection, the property manager was issued a notice to comply with the state’s asbestos regulations. These include a contamination survey, securing the area that contains the asbestos materials in question and submitting a cleanup plan.

“Popcorn ceilings were a standard method of texturing ceilings for many years so they are common throughout all of California,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Unfortunately, asbestos was used in some of these ceilings. It’s always a good idea, and many times required under existing regulations, to have a popcorn ceiling tested for asbestos before any projects take place that could disturb the materials. This is important for not only property managers, but also for those undertaking a do-it-yourself project that involves the removal of a popcorn ceiling. Many people have no idea they could otherwise be exposing themselves, family members, workers or other building occupants to asbestos fibers. The good news is asbestos testing is quick and inexpensive.”

If test results indicate asbestos is present, then properly trained asbestos removal professionals can safely handle the project to mitigate any risk of exposure. Failure to follow the proper procedures could result in exposing people to this known carcinogen and may have legal ramifications that include costly fines and even lawsuits.

To help residents, property managers and business owners in California, LA Testing has multiple laboratories available to determine if asbestos is present in material or environmental samples. LA Testing provides not only the analytical services, but also all of the sample collection supplies and even easy to use test kits.

To learn more about asbestos or other indoor environmental quality (IEQ), building science, occupational, health and safety services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. For access to asbestos and other IEQ 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.

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