National COPD Awareness Month and Improving the Indoor Air Quality of Homes and Businesses in California
Approximately 1,650,000 people in California have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Across the nation, there over 15 million adults with the disease, and many more that do not know they have it.
COPD refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. These include emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Common symptoms of the disease that people often mistake as normal signs of aging include wheezing, shortness of breath, ongoing cough, chest tightness or a combination of all.
Traditionally, COPD was often thought of as mainly a man’s disease reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, the agency states that things have changed over the last several decades. In fact, more women than men have died from COPD in the U.S. since 2000.
“To raise awareness of COPD and ways people with the condition can better manage it, November is recognized as National COPD Awareness Month,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Fortunately, many cases of COPD can be prevented. While cigarette smoking is a leading cause of the disease, CDC reports that 1 in 4 people with the disease were never smokers. Identifying and mitigating exposure to airborne pollutants in the home and work environment could help to reduce new cases and can assist those with COPD to manage the disease.”
Some of the more common indoor air quality (IAQ) pollutants, irritants and allergens that may exacerbate COPD and other respiratory conditions include dust mites, pet dander, mold, bacteria, pollen, perfumes, scented products, cleaning chemicals, smoke, dusty conditions, and outdoor pollution that infiltrates a home or business. In California, LA Testing’s laboratories offer air and dust testing, sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, and air monitoring instruments to help optimize indoor conditions.
Several years ago, LA Testing sponsored an educational video about National COPD Awareness Month that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/Sbl4FLOFBmc
To learn more about indoor environmental quality (IEQ) testing services, sampling supplies or monitoring instruments, 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 ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, 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 and San Diego.
Article Source: National COPD Awareness Month and Improving the Indoor Air Quality of Homes and Businesses in California | WebWire
