Respirable Particulate Matter Exposure Risks Inside and Outside of California Homes and Businesses

The air quality in California is frequently impacted by everything from smog to wildfire smoke. The quality of air we breathe in, has a significant impact on well-being, considering there are many different types of airborne pollutants that are known to cause health issues.

One of these is particulate matter, also known as PM. This is the name for a wide range of particles that are small enough to be carried by the air and inhaled. PM can be a solid or liquid, or even a mixture of both. These tiny particles may range from 0.005 µm to 100 µm in diameter. These very small particles can pose a significant threat to people’s health because they can travel deep into the lung. In fact, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), some studies suggest that long-term PM 2.5 exposures may be linked to cancer and to harmful developmental and reproductive effects.

“Fine particulate matter can be found in both outdoor and indoor air in homes, schools and businesses,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at LA Testing. “PM from the outdoors can make its way into a structure and many indoor environments also have their own sources. It may come from furnaces, unvented space heaters, cooking stoves, woodstoves, environmental tobacco smoke and indoor mold growth to name just a few. For many workers, manufacturing facilities, industrial sites and construction activities can expose them to a range of respirable particulates. The type, concentration and amount of time a person is exposed are all factors as to whether they may experience adverse effects.”

The environmental scientists at LA Testing can identify exposure risks to PM and other airborne pollutants. With multiple California laboratories, LA Testing offers air monitoring instruments, air testing analysis and all of the sampling supplies needed. They have even sponsored an educational video about particulate matter and indoor air quality (IAQ) that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/_7n6l6oQUqQ.

To learn more about indoor or outdoor air quality testing services and 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-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.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail