Lead Testing Services

San Leandro, California, April 9^th , 2020

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) recently announced that schools across the state are now required to perform testing for lead from all human water consumption fixtures by December 31, 2021. The testing requirement impacts over 800 of the state’s schools and applies to all fixtures that may “reasonably provide water for human consumption or for food preparation.” After initial testing is completed, schools will be required to test again every three years.

DPHHS announced their reasoning for the new Montana Administrative Rule with the following:

Even though water delivered from the community's public water supply must meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for lead, a building may still have too much lead in the drinking water because of lead-containing plumbing materials and water use patterns. The EPA strongly encourages schools to test water for lead. Testing water in schools is important because students spend a significant portion of their days at school, and likely consume water while there. The longer water remains in contact with leaded plumbing, the more opportunity exists for lead to leach into water. As a result, facilities with on-again/off-again water use patterns, such as schools, may have elevated lead concentrations in the water. The adopted lead testing and remediation requirements are necessary to ensure the health and physical well-being of students and school employees.

“Over the last several years, lead concerns have resulted in a number of school districts, municipalities and states announcing water testing programs,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “This is good news because although exposure to lead can be a health threat to anyone, it is particularly true for children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention and academic achievement.”

With dozens of laboratories across the United States and Canada, one of the leading providers of lead testing from water and other environmental sources is EMSL Analytical, Inc. They provide comprehensive lead testing services, all of the sampling supplies needed, and even offer an easy-to-use Drinking Water Test Kit. EMSL has also sponsored an educational video about lead in drinking water that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/2kvtAcpw1MY.

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


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with 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-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC 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.