Lead Testing Laboratory

Cinnaminson, NJ,  April 15^th , 2019

Last year, a health alert was issued by the Bell County Public Health District in Texas regarding elevated lead levels at a local indoor shooting range. According to their report, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had informed the agency of an inspection that was conducted at the facility that found lead dust and airborne levels above the permissible exposure limit (PEL).

OSHA recently announced that the company that operates the indoor range is facing penalties of over $214,000 for exposing workers to unsafe lead levels. The OSHA citation includes failing to replace damaged personal protective equipment (PPE), not medically monitoring employees for lead-related issues, and for poor lead dust and debris cleanup practices.

Lead exposure issues at gun ranges across the nation are a serious potential hazard. Many types of bullets are made from lead. When they are fired at an indoor shooting range that doesn’t have adequate ventilation and cleaning procedures, their use can result in lead dust contamination.

“Indoor gun range owners and operators need to take lead exposure risks seriously to protect workers and the public from lead poisoning risks,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “There can be significant health concerns in these types of facilities that are not properly operated. To prevent these types of hazards, cleaning and maintenance work should be performed regularly by employees who are trained in the proper techniques of exposure control and PPE. At EMSL, we help to identify lead hazards by offering quick and affordable lead testing from air, dust, surface and other matrices. These services can identify exposure hazards and help determine if engineering controls and cleaning practices are effective. They are also essential for avoiding potential and costly noncompliance citations. EMSL even provides test kits and a wide range of PPE to protect workers and others from lead exposure risks.”

EMSL has also sponsored an educational video about lead exposure risks at shooting ranges that can be viewed at: http://youtu.be/OmjzmbbPxk0.

To learn more about this or other occupational, environmental, air quality, health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com. To access lead and other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 46 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.