California Couple Encounters Extensive Property Damage and Mold After Renter Uses Home to Grow Thousands of Marijuana Plants

KABC-TV recently broadcasted a report about a surprising find for a couple that rented out their Fremont home. According to the news report, the man that rented the property turned the home into a clandestine grow operation with almost 1,200 marijuana plants in the house at the time of discovery. Not only was the house overloaded with an illegal gas line and haphazard electrical wiring, the home also suffered extensively from water damage and subsequent mold growth.

This type of damage is common in properties converted for the large scale growth of marijuana. Even in a small grow operation in a home, exposure to elevated levels of mold can become a significant problem. It can even impact future building occupants since mold acts as an irritant, allergen and even an asthma trigger in some people with the condition.

“Mold will quickly begin to grow due to the high humidity levels that are almost always present in these illegal grow operations,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Residential homes are not designed to handle this type of environment. With high humidity, most building materials, furnishings and personal belongings will easily support the growth of mold. Mold contamination can be costly to remediate and its presence will almost surely have a negative impact on the value of a property. If marijuana is also being smoked in the residence, smoke contamination from residues can cause ongoing odor issues.”

The scientists at LA Testing help property owners, managers and tenants identify indoor mold contamination, odors, residues and other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) issues. They provide air, surface and bulk testing, as well as offer sampling supplies and easy-to-use test kits to identify mold and smoke residues.

To learn more about this or other indoor air quality (IAQ), property damage, environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. To access IEQ 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-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), 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.

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Joseph Frasca

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LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

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