Lead Testing Services

Chicago, Illinois, March 17, 2023

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced a settlement with a business to resolve alleged violations of the federal Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting regulations (RRP Rule) at renovation projects the company and its contractors performed in Chicago and area suburbs.

According to the EPA, the agency first discovered the alleged violations through customer complaints about a project performed in Evanston, Illinois. EPA learned that the firm frequently subcontracted work to uncertified firms and did not use lead-safe work practices, perform required post-renovation cleaning, provide the EPA-required lead-based paint pamphlets to occupants, or establish records of compliance.

Under the settlement, the company will implement a comprehensive program to ensure that its contractors are certified and trained to use lead-safe work practices to avoid creating lead dust during home renovation activities. Under a parallel administrative settlement agreement, it will also pay a $400,000 penalty and perform $2 million of lead-based paint abatement work in lower-income properties located in the Chicago area.

The RRP Rule was created to protect the public from lead-based paint hazards that can occur during repair or remodeling in homes and child-occupied facilities, such as schools, that were built before 1978. It requires that individuals performing renovations be properly trained and certified, and must follow lead-safe work practices. It also requires building contractors that renovate pre-1978 homes and child-occupied facilities to be certified by EPA.

“Fortunately, identifying lead hazards in homes and buildings is quick, convenient, and affordable,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “EMSL Analytical, with a lead testing laboratory in the Chicago area, and dozens more located across the United States and Canada provides environmental, material and industrial hygiene testing services for lead, asbestos, and other hazardous materials. We also offer sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, and personal protective equipment. These services and resources protect workers, the public, and future building occupants while also helping to keep companies in regulatory compliance.”

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. To access lead or other indoor environmental quality 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.