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Moldy Library Impacts California Students and Faculty

LA Testing provides analytical services, sampling supplies and indoor environmental quality test kits to identify microbial contaminants.


Huntington Beach, CA – WEBWIRE

In December, the Long Beach Post published an article about the scheduled reopening of the second floor of a university library in California. According to their report, the second floor, containing hundreds of thousands of books, had been closed for several months following the discovery of mold. The mold is believed to have been a result of repair work done over the summer which allowed for a period of humidity control issues.

Housing books and manuscripts made of paper, libraries must be especially vigilant of indoor air quality (IAQ) issues to protect their vast collection of printed materials. One component of indoor air quality that is particularly crucial is the humidity level. Humidity can quickly increase if there has been water damage, if the library’s HVAC system has not been properly programed or is not working correctly. 

“There are many types of mold that will rapidly begin to grow on anything made out of paper as soon as moisture is introduced,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “It’s critical in these types of sensitive environments that they are kept dry. The growth of mold in a library will not only destroy books, it could also become a health concern for people who work in or visit the library. Exposure to elevated levels of mold can cause allergies, act as a respiratory irritant and even trigger an asthma attack in some people.”   

To help facility managers and librarians control and recognize moisture issues in libraries, LA Testing offers humidity sensors, data logging instrumentation, moisture meters, and other air and surface testing equipment. LA Testing’s microbiology laboratory also offers mold and bacteria testing of indoor air quality, surfaces and materials. These testing services are not only instrumental for identifying microbial issues, they are also crucial for evaluating cleanup efforts if a mold event has already occurred.

To learn more about mold and IAQ testing or other environmental, occupational, health and safety services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. For access to indoor environmental 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 and San Diego.


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 mold
 humidity
 HVAC
 indoor air quality
 occupational health


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