Mold Causes Escondido Fire Station to Shut Down

LA Testing offers mold and other indoor air quality (IAQ) testing solutions to help municipalities and property owners keep building occupants safe.

Pasadena, CA

Last month the city of Escondido, California closed fire station #4 and relocated its fire crew to another station in the city. The events were prompted by an outbreak of mold in the 32 year old fire station. The cash strapped city now has to decide on spending close to $300,000 to remove the mold, $1 million to upgrade and expand the facility or $4 million to completely rebuild the fire station.

Escondido is like many cities across California and the nation that have to face tough decisions due to mold contamination during a time when most city budgets are running on bare bones. LA Testing, an affiliate of EMSL Analytical and a leading indoor air quality testing laboratory, has a long tradition of providing IAQ solutions throughout California and the West Coast to help in these types of situations.

Mold is a normal part of the outdoor environment, but steps should be taken to prevent mold from growing in indoor environments. Mold in indoor environments can cause a host of medical conditions, but if a problem is caught early on the damage to people’s health and the cost to remediate the mold problem can be dramatically reduced.

Exposure to molds can cause everything from allergies to infections. Fungal infections are typically caused by inhaling airborne fungal spores that make their way to a person’s respiratory tract. People with undeveloped or weakened immune systems are generally the most susceptible to fungal infections.

“Allergies are commonly caused by exposure to mold, not to mention they can be a trigger for asthma. Allergic symptoms often include watery eyes, congestion, itchy nose, sneezing, coughing and rashes,” reported Ben Sublasky, National Director of Client Services for LA Testing and EMSL Analytical. “Mold needs water or moisture to grow so at the first signs of a problem people need to stop the water. Then investigate to make sure mold hasn’t begun to grow and release their spores into the air.”

To learn more about indoor air quality testing services please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 303-0047.

About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are providers of environmental testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Ben Sublasky

National Director of Clients Services/Operations Manager

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

Contact via E-mail