California Construction Site Brought to a Halt by Naturally Occurring Asbestos

Recently, California’s KPIX broadcasted a story about a large construction project in San Jose that was forced to temporarily stop activities due to airborne health concerns. According to the station’s report, unacceptable asbestos levels were detected in the air around the construction zone and nearby neighborhoods.

The airborne readings were said to be above the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s (BAAQMD) threshold and were the result of naturally occurring asbestos in the ground being disturbed by construction activities. The home builder has subsequently hired environmental professionals to develop and implement a mitigation plan to minimize future exposure risks until the project can be completed safely.

The California Air Resources Board reports that naturally-occurring asbestos can be found in many parts of California. The most common type of asbestos is chrysotile, but other types are also found in California. When rock containing asbestos is broken or crushed, asbestos fibers may be released and become airborne. Exposure to asbestos fibers may result in health issues such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. Sources of asbestos emissions include unpaved roads or driveways surfaced with ultramafic rock, construction activities in ultramafic rock deposits or rock quarrying activities where ultramafic rock is present.

“Naturally occurring asbestos refers to the mineral as a natural component of soil or rocks as opposed to asbestos used in commercial products, mining or processing operations,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “To help identify naturally occurring asbestos and manmade asbestos hazards, LA Testing offers comprehensive analyses, all of the sampling supplies necessary and easy-to-use test kits. These services not only protect people’s health, but they can also help to prevent this type of work stoppage and can be essential for keeping companies in regulatory compliance.”

LA Testing has also sponsored an educational video about naturally occurring asbestos and exposure risks that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/1AiAr6TC2pw.

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

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail