Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its Clean Air in Buildings Challenge. This call to action includes guiding principles and steps to assist building owners and operators with reducing risks from airborne viruses and other indoor contaminants.
The Clean Air in Buildings Challenge highlights a range of recommendations and resources available to assist with improving ventilation and indoor air quality (IAQ). EPA reports that while the recommended actions cannot completely eliminate risks, they will reduce them. In addition to other layered prevention strategies, like physical distancing to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, actions to improve ventilation, filtration and other proven air cleaning strategies can reduce the risk of exposure to particles, aerosols and other concerns.
Actions outlined in the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge include:
- Creating a clean indoor air action plan,
- Optimizing fresh air ventilation,
- Enhancing air filtration and cleaning, and
- Conducting community engagement, communication and education.
“The measures in the EPA's challenge can improve indoor air quality and the overall well-being of building occupants,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing's Huntington Beach facility. “To provide optimal indoor conditions, it is necessary to understand what building occupants are being exposed to every day. For building owners and operators in California, LA Testing's laboratories offer testing services for air, surface, dust, bulk material, and water samples. We test for mold, bacteria, viruses, chemicals, particulates, lead, asbestos, radon and many other common exposure risks. LA Testing also provides sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments, building inspection tools and more. All of these resources help to ensure building occupants have access to a safe indoor environment.”
LA Testing recently sponsored an educational video about the EPA's Clean Air in Buildings Challenge that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/AJczPwv8jzc
To learn more about IAQ testing services and supplies, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. For access to 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 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.
— WebWireID291736 —
