A California University Is Temporarily Closed Due to Asbestos Discovery

In late March, it was announced that the student commons facility at a California university was temporarily closed. This step was taken as a precautionary measure following a construction-related incident involving asbestos.

According to a notice posted to the university community, the building was closed to “evaluate the extent of a construction-related asbestos contamination incident that was confirmed Thursday evening. At the time, that included all spaces in the building, including office areas, event spaces, meeting and classroom spaces, coffee shop, dining and catering spaces, and general community spaces.”

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was added to many products to strengthen and provide heat insulation and fire resistance. In fact, up until the 1970s, many building materials used in residential, commercial and institutional buildings contained asbestos. If these materials are disturbed or become friable with age, asbestos fibers may be released into the air which can then be inhaled by people. Exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.

“A similar construction incident involving asbestos took place last year at another California university,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “It also resulted in the temporary closure of the building. These types of occurrences are a good reminder of the frequency that asbestos-containing materials are still being found on university campuses and elsewhere, decades after these material containing asbestos were likely installed.”

Universities, schools, institutions and businesses can turn to LA Testing for all of their asbestos analyses, sampling supplies, test kits, air monitoring instruments and personal protective equipment. These testing services are instrumental for identifying exposure risks, monitoring abatement projects and for post clearance testing to ensure a project has been completed properly to ensure a safe environment for current and future building occupants.

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