Environmental Testing Services

St. Louis, Missouri, March 13, 2023

In January, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the agency had ruled that two home renovation companies in Kansas and Missouri must pay civil penalties to resolve violations of the federal Toxic Substances Control Act. EPA alleged that both companies failed to comply with regulations intended to reduce the hazards of lead-based paint exposure resulting from renovations. Each company is now facing penalties of over $40,000 each.

According to the EPA announcement:

Lead-contaminated dust from chipped or peeling lead-based paint in homes built prior to 1978 is one of the most common causes of elevated blood lead levels in children. Infants and children are especially vulnerable to lead-based paint exposure because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. They can be exposed from multiple sources and may experience irreversible and lifelong health effects. Lead dust can be generated when lead-based paint deteriorates or is disturbed. 

“All companies in the U.S. that perform home renovations, or hire subcontractors to perform them, are required to comply with regulations under EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “The RRP Rule was introduced in 2008 and was created to protect the public from lead-based paint hazards that can occur during repair or remodeling activities in homes and child-occupied facilities.”

Dedicated to helping renovation companies identify and mitigate exposure risks from lead-based paints and other sources are the material, environmental and industrial hygiene testing experts at EMSL Analytical, Inc. EMSL has laboratories across the United States and Canada that offer lead testing services, sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, monitoring instruments and personal protective equipment to protect workers and the public, and to help keep companies in compliance with health and safety regulations.

To learn more about lead or other environmental, health and safety testing resources, 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 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, VOCs, 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.