Dusts Containing Asbestos can be found in Some Older California Buildings

Garden Grove, CA, March 19, 2013
 
Across California, asbestos was used heavily in many building materials up until the mid-1980s. If these asbestos containing materials are disturbed or become friable with age, the asbestos may become airborne and spread throughout a property. Eventually these asbestos fibers will settle and may contribute to dusts found in buildings.
 
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Asbestos fibers may be released into the air by the disturbance of asbestos-containing material during product use, demolition work, building or home maintenance, repair, and remodeling.” The EPA goes on to report, “Exposure to asbestos increases your risk of developing lung disease. That risk is made worse by smoking. In general, the greater the exposure to asbestos, the greater the chance of developing harmful health effects.”
 
In 1987, asbestos was added to California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, better known as Proposition 65. Prop 65 lists chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm to the state of California.   
 
“Understanding the correct way to sample for asbestos in dust samples is important,” reported Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Garden Grove facility, a leading asbestos testing laboratory in the greater Los Angeles area. “To help people sample correctly, LA Testing and its affiliate EMSL Analytical have produced an online video showing the process. LA Testing also offers all of the testing supplies and comprehensive asbestos analysis to help determine if there is asbestos in not only dust samples, but also from air, water, soil and bulk samples.”
 
LA Testing has sponsored an online educational video about sampling for asbestos in dust that can be seen at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd49JZWfcME
 
To learn more about asbestos testing services or other environmental issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. 
 
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. LA Testing has laboratories throughout California to service commercial clients and government agencies as well as the general public.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-866-798-1089

jfrasca@emsl.com