Preschool Permanently Closed Following the Discovery of Water Damage and Mold Contamination

In early March, a private preschool in California that served almost 100 students announced it was closing its doors for mold removal after recent heavy rains and the discovery of mold from indoor air quality (IAQ) samples according to The Press Democrat. A little over a week later, the paper published a report that the school is being closed permanently.

The article stated that a representative from the company that owns the school reported that the level of water damage in the building would take months to repair and the cost would be prohibitive. The situation left parents scrambling to find a new preschool and concerned about the health effects from the mold exposure their children experienced.

The students, teachers and staff that are exposed to elevated levels of mold may experience a myriad of health issues. Molds produce allergens, irritants and in some cases, toxic substances known as mycotoxins. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Exposure to mold can even trigger an asthma attack in some people with the condition. As an irritant, mold can impact people’s eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs of individuals whether or not they are allergic to it. Breathing in mold may also cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), a disease that resembles bacterial pneumonia. In addition, exposure to certain types of mold associated with water damaged buildings, such as some types of Aspergillus, may result in opportunistic infections in people with a weakened or suppressed immune system.

“The key to preventing indoor mold growth and these types of exposure concerns is to control indoor moisture and humidity levels because mold can begin to grow in less than 48 hours on wet or damp materials,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “At LA Testing, we not only provide tools to detect this, such as moisture meters, infrared cameras and humidity sensors, we also offer comprehensive testing for mold and other contaminants. Our laboratories have all of the sampling supplies necessary and even carry a line of test kits to identify a number of common indoor environmental quality (IEQ) problems.”

To learn more about mold and IEQ testing or for access to water damage detection tools, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. For access to indoor environmental quality 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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EMSL Analytical, Inc.

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