Frequently Asked Questions About Mold and Answers from the California Department of Public Health

With approximately 40 million residents in California, it’s only a matter of time before encountering a water leak of some type from flooding in the home, office or school. If not quickly discovered and properly addressed, indoor moisture can lead to the growth of mold in as short as 48 hours in many cases.

Exposure to elevated levels of mold indoors can create indoor air quality (IAQ) concerns that could impact the health and wellbeing of families, students, workers and building occupants. To address questions the public has on mold and IAQ, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has created a Frequently Asked Questions about Mold section on the agency’s website.

In it, the CDPH states:

The presence of visible mold and moisture, water-damaged materials, or mold odor in a building is linked to increased risk of various respiratory health effects. These health effects include asthma development, asthma exacerbation, allergies, respiratory infections, and a variety of upper and lower respiratory symptoms. The more extensive or severe the dampness and mold, the greater the risk of health effects; the health effects also depend on the susceptibility of the occupants.

“Mold growth and water damage can also be hidden behind walls and ceilings, in attics or crawl spaces, and even behind cabinets and flooring,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Most building materials and furnishings will support the growth of mold if moisture or elevated humidity levels are present. The key is to prevent water damage. For those who suspect they are being exposed to mold, whether you’re breathing it in or touching contaminated surfaces, LA Testing’s laboratories in California offer mold analysis, sampling supplies and easy-to-use test kits. LA Testing also carries a line of building inspection tools ranging from moisture meters and infrared cameras to relative humidity sensors and other air quality monitors.”

To learn more about mold and IAQ testing or for access to water damage detection tools and monitoring equipment, 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, San Diego and Ontario.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

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