Lead Testing Lab

San Leandro, CA, December 2, 2016   

Last month, the Bay Area’s KRON new channel spent a week examining lead contamination dangers and the impact it has on people living in the region. The media outlet broadcasted and printed multiple reports about a range of lead exposure risks.

The stories examined everything from lead exposure due to contaminated drinking water to hazards caused by lead-based paints found both inside and outside of people’s homes. The use of lead-based paints was banned in housing in 1978, but parts of many cities with older homes and buildings have a greater exposure risk than more recently developed areas built after the ban.

Lead-based paints are still present on the interior and exterior of many structures. Exposure to lead can occur when these paints deteriorate indoors, which contaminate dusts and surfaces, or as paint chips fall to the ground. Their presence can also be a major exposure hazard if they are improperly removed from surfaces during renovation, remodeling or demolition activities.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that although lead is rarely found in source water, it can enter tap water through the corrosion of some plumbing materials. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures and solder. Brass and chrome-plated brass plumbing are the most common problem because it can leach significant amounts of lead into the water, especially hot water.

“As the KRON reports have highlighted, lead exposure risks still abound in the Bay Area and many other parts of California,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “People concerned about the potential presence of lead in their home, school or work environment can turn to the lead professionals at EMSL. We offer lead testing services, sampling supplies as well as easy-to-use Lead in Paint & Dust Test Kits and Drinking Water Test Kits."

To learn more about lead testing or other environmental and air quality issues, please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com or call (800) 755-1794. For access to test kits, please visit www.EMSLTestKits.com. 

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 40 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations.  In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.