Mold Contamination Forces Closure of El Dorado Fire Station in California

In March, CBS 13 broadcasted a report about the closure of a fire station in El Dorado County. It is not immediately clear if the fire station will reopen at its current location or if it will be moved to another location permanently.

The closure was the result of strong odors following heavy rains that lead to the discovery of mold in the facility’s walls. Mold was eventually discovered in three out of four walls. The cost to fix the problem at the current fire station is estimated to be approximately $100,000.

Even though mold is a natural part of the environment, when it grows indoors and exposes people to elevated levels in the air they breathe it can lead to health issues. Mold is a well-documented allergen, irritant and asthma trigger for some people. Some types of mold also produce toxic substances known as mycotoxins. Several types of mold associated with water damaged buildings can also cause opportunistic infections in people with a weakened or suppressed immune system.

“Fortunately, the odors in the fire station were investigated and resulted in the discovery of mold contamination in the wall cavities,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Garden Grove facility. “When mold begins to grow indoors it needs to be addressed or the situation will typically only get worse. There are ways to test for mold in wall cavities and other locations that are out of sight so that repairs and remediation can begin and building occupants do not suffer health issues from exposure.”

California residents who suspect they may have mold in their home or work environment can turn to LA Testing for mold sampling supplies, consumer test kits and comprehensive analyses. These services can quickly determine if there is a problem and are essential for post remediation testing to ensure any problems have been properly resolved.

LA Testing has also sponsored an educational video about health issues that can be caused by breathing mold that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/61eTg1WfJHo.

To learn more about mold and indoor air quality testing or other environmental, occupational, health and safety issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. For access to consumer-friendly indoor environmental test kits, please visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for 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, CDC ELITE, 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, Sierra Madre, Garden Grove, San Leandro and San Diego.

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Joseph Frasca

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LA Testing

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