Lead Testing Services

Carle Place, New York, June 1, 2023

New York Attorney General Letitia James recently announced that her office had filed a lawsuit against a Buffalo landlord, his wife and their companies for repeated and flagrant violations of lead safety laws at dozens of properties. According to the announcement, of the 75 properties owned by the pair and their companies, 47 of them have been cited for lead-based paint hazard violations, and 16 children have been diagnosed with lead poisoning while living in the properties.

The AG’s statement claims the couple and their businesses routinely violated city, county, state and federal laws by allowing lead paint to deteriorate, and further violated regulations dictating how to safely repair lead paint hazards and communicate risks to tenants. In addition to costly penalties, the AG is seeking an order requiring the companies owned by the couple to:

• Regularly inspect rental units for lead hazards and remedy all areas of concern in a timely manner 
• Follow lead-safe work practices as set forth by the federal EPA and Erie County when conducting lead paint renovations  
• Provide tenants with accurate lead disclosures when required by law
• Hire an independent monitor to supervise and report on the defendants’ compliance  

“Lead-based paints and dusts contaminated with lead are some of the most common sources of lead exposure for children,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Many homes, apartments and other properties built before 1978 still contain lead-based paints. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there are millions of households with children living in them that are being exposed to high levels of lead. Fortunately, testing for lead can quickly identify exposure risks in any type of property so the hazard can be removed or mitigated. This helps to safeguard property owners and tenants from lead hazards as well as protect landlords and property management companies from costly noncompliance penalties and lawsuits.”

EMSL Analytical, with laboratories in New York and all across the United States and Canada, provides comprehensive environmental, material and industrial hygiene testing for lead and many other regulated substances. They also offer sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits and personal protective equipment (PPE). Several years ago, EMSL sponsored an educational video about protecting children from lead poisoning that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/LkEqFhNDS-U 

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 (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.