California Library Temporarily Closes to Address Asbestos-Containing Flooring Materials

A California library administration announced that one of the library’s based in California would be closed for several weeks late last year to allow for improvements and repairs to the facility. The closure was needed for the safety of the library staff and its patrons since part of the planned work included the replacement of flooring that contained asbestos.

Old flooring, including sheet vinyl, vinyl or asphalt floor tiles, and any associated paper-like backing, mastic, adhesive or glue, may contain asbestos according to the Minnesota Department of Health. This is due to the fact that asbestos was once added to many different types of floor tiles and associated materials during the manufacturing process to increase strength and durability. As these flooring products age, they often become friable and could release fibers into the air. This is especially true if asbestos-containing flooring is disturbed during renovation, remodeling or demolition activities. Improper attempts to remove these materials, without the proper safety precautions in place, could release asbestos fibers into the air, endangering anyone in the area.

“The only way to know if floor tiles, mastics or glues contain asbestos is to have them tested,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at LA Testing. “It’s also important for people to recognize that asbestos-containing materials are not just a flooring issue in countless older homes and buildings. Pipe and furnace insulation materials, shingles, millboard, textured paints and other coatings, and many other materials were once made with it. Fortunately, testing is quick, inexpensive and in many circumstances already required by existing health and safety regulations.”

With multiple laboratories in California, LA Testing provides asbestos testing services, sampling supplies, test kits and even personal protective equipment (PPE).

To learn more about asbestos or other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) testing services, sampling supplies and products, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. For access to 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.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail