Cleaning Chemical Exposure Risks for California Workers and Building Occupants

Commercial and institutional properties across California have building maintenance, janitorial or housekeeping services that regularly use cleaning and disinfecting chemicals. The use of these chemicals has increased this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, if used improperly, many of these chemicals can impact the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and create their own exposure concerns for workers and building occupants. Chemicals in many cleaning products can be irritating to the skin or cause rashes. Some contain corrosive chemicals that can even cause severe burns if splashed on the skin or in the eyes. A number of these products can also generate mists, vapors and gases that cause irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Common symptoms of exposure to cleaning chemicals may include burning eyes, sore throat, coughing, trouble breathing and wheezing. Chemicals in some cleaning products can even cause asthma or trigger an asthma attack in some people.

Various factors influence whether a cleaning chemical will cause health problems. Some important considerations include:

• Chemical ingredients
• How the cleaning product is being used or stored
• Ventilation in the area where the cleaning product is used
• Whether there are splashes and spills
• Whether the cleaning product comes in contact with the skin
• Whether mists, vapors and gases are released

“Employers need to provide the proper training and safety conditions for workers using these chemicals for not only their health and safety, but also for everyone else in the building,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at LA Testing. “Another important thing to remember is many of these same cleaning chemicals are regularly used in people’s homes, so the same precautions should be taken there as well.”

The scientists at LA Testing can identify chemical contaminants and exposure risks from indoor environments across California. They offer laboratory testing services, sampling supplies, air monitoring instruments and even a wide assortment of personal protective equipment (PPE). LA Testing has even sponsored an educational video about cleaning chemicals, exposure risks and indoor air quality that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/j5vmB2OgzSY.

To learn more about indoor environmental quality testing services, sampling supplies, monitoring instruments or PPE, 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