Tenants from California Apartment Complex Get $2 Million from Lawsuit over Mold and Other Poor Living Conditions

This past November, the East Bay Times published an article about a lawsuit filed on behalf of 115 tenants of an apartment complex in Oakland, California. The tenants’ lawsuit claimed multiple housing violations that created poor living conditions. While the property manager has denied the allegations, a $2 million settlement has been reached.

Tenants reported issues with leaking roofs, bed bugs, rodents, mold and other problems. Many of these issues can lead to health and safety concerns. For example, exposure to elevated levels of mold, due to water damage or elevated humidity levels, can cause people to develop a sensitivity to its presence. Even low levels of mold can cause health issues for people who are particularly sensitive. In addition to allergies, exposure to mold for some can act as a respiratory irritant, trigger asthma and cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), a condition that resembles bacterial pneumonia. For those with a weakened immune system, exposure to some types of mold associated with water damaged buildings can even result in opportunistic infections.

Exposure to rodent allergens can also cause allergic reactions or trigger an asthma attack in some with the condition. The presence of bed bugs can be an ongoing annoyance because they often cause itching and loss of sleep for people living in or visiting an infested property. Some people may even suffer allergic reactions to their presence.

“For those thinking about renting or buying an apartment or home, this case is a good reminder to do your homework before signing on the dotted line,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “It’s always a good idea to look for signs of water damage and potential indoor environmental quality issues such as water damage, mold, rodents, bed bugs, smoke residues, odors, lead-based paints and even asbestos. A few simple environmental tests could make a huge difference in the health and safety of your family.”

California residents looking to rent or purchase residential or commercial properties can turn to LA Testing for comprehensive indoor environmental quality testing services. LA Testing offers analyses, sampling supplies and easy-to-use test kits for everything from mold and other common allergens to lead, radon, smoke residues, methamphetamine residues, vermiculite, bed bugs and even drinking water quality. The laboratory specialists have also sponsored an educational video about apartments, mold and indoor air quality (IAQ) that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/AFjuj-Asb5I.

To learn more about testing for mold or other IEQ issues, 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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Joseph Frasca

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LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

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