California Parents Turn to LA Testing to Ensure Healthy Indoor Air Quality

For many soon-to-be parents, one of the primary tasks they hope to accomplish before the birth of their child is getting the nursery ready with the child’s health and well-being in mind.  Since newborns and young children spend so much time in their rooms, a critical component of this includes the indoor air quality (IAQ) and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of the nursery.
 
Something as basic as painting the walls can lead to high levels of airborne chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  New baby furniture can also off-gas VOCs from their components, paints, finishes, adhesives and glues.  Some manufactured wood products are also associated with high levels of formaldehyde. Don’t forget that babies spend many hours on their mattresses which can be another source of VOCs, flame retardants and other chemicals.
 
Even new carpeting or wood floors in a nursery can be a source of VOCs.   Carpeting can also act as a “sink” for chemical and biological pollutants including pesticides, mold, dust mites and other materials.  Anything that is tracked onto, or settles into carpeting can become lodged. 
 
Some children’s products made with polycarbonate plastics and resins may contain bisphenol A (BPA), which has been shown to affect the reproductive systems of laboratory animals.  Another area of concern for many parents are phthalates, which are used in some products to increase the flexibility of plastics and vinyl and are suspected to be endocrine disruptors. 
 
“Parents should also make sure that there are no water damage or humidity issues in the baby’s room that could support mold growth and dust mites,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Garden Grove facility.  “Another thing to check for is any lead-based paints or asbestos-containing materials in the baby room or home. At LA Testing, we offer comprehensive laboratory services to identify chemical and biological pollutants in people’s homes.  For new parents, these services help to ensure that their growing families are not exposed to potentially hazardous materials that could impact their well-being.”  
 
LA Testing recently sponsored an educational video about IEQ issues in baby rooms and nurseries that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/XAIfYYn690s.
 
To learn more indoor environmental quality testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. 
 
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, 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, Garden Grove, San Leandro and San Diego.

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Joseph Frasca

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LA Testing

(1) (856) 303-25-3

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