Select Southern California Schools Receive Air Filters to Combat Diesel Exhaust and Other Indoor Pollutants

The Los Angeles Daily News recently published the article, “EPA fines 2 trucking companies for air pollution and requires them to pay for indoor air filtration at Southern California schools.” According to the article, two trucking companies failed to install special filters in hundreds of diesel trucks operating in the state. This resulted in elevated levels of diesel exhaust spewing into the environment and making its way into the air people breathe. 

In addition to over $200,000 in penalties, the companies are required to spend $575,000 for indoor air filtration systems in some Rialto and Los Angeles area schools and daycare centers that are near freeways and trucking facilities. 

The settlement is great news for those schools and daycare centers getting the new air filtration equipment as many have student populations with elevated rates of asthma. Prolonged diesel particulate matter and diesel exhaust exposure can increase the risk of cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary and respiratory diseases, in addition to lung cancer.

“Diesel engine exhaust was added to California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment’s (OEHHA) list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity for purposes of Proposition 65 way back in 1990,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Breathing elevated levels of it is a health issue and it’s not just students who can be impacted by exposure. Workers in many industries, as well as anyone living in neighborhoods close to busy roads, freeways, ports, construction sites, truck yards and other facilities with diesel engines, are also at risk.”

In California, LA Testing helps to protect the public and workers from diesel exhaust exposure through comprehensive air testing analyses and air monitoring instruments that can detect particulate matter in the air. These services are also instrumental in helping companies avoid potential costly noncompliance penalties from regulatory agencies. LA Testing has even sponsored an educational video about diesel exhaust, particulate matter and air quality issues that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/mAjDvBwKFWE.

To learn more about air quality, occupational and environmental testing services or to access air monitoring instruments, 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, 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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