Lead Testing

Cinnaminson, New Jersey, July 28, 2023

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that a renovation company in Alaska has been penalized over $25,000 for violating the federal Toxic Substances Control Act’s Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule. An Administrative Law Judge involved in the case found the company liable for violations and assessed the costly penalty.

EPA claims the company committed the following violations:

• Performing renovation work without certification;  
• Failing to ensure that the renovation work was directed by either a certified renovator or by individuals who had been trained by a certified renovator;  

• Failing to post warning signs around the work site and; 
• Failing to cover the ground with impermeable material to contain lead-contaminated dust and debris created by the renovation work.  

The RRP Rule was introduced back in 2008 and 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 they 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.

“There are still millions of properties across the country that contain lead-based paints that were applied decades ago that could pose a risk to building occupants, especially during renovation and remodeling activities,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “The good news is identifying lead hazards can be done quickly and with minimal cost. Testing for lead not only protects building occupants and construction workers, it can also be essential for keeping construction companies in regulatory compliance to avoid costly penalties and legal fees.”

EMSL Analytical, with laboratories across the North America, provides environmental, material and industrial hygiene testing for lead and other regulated material, such as asbestos. They also offer sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits and a wide range of personal protective equipment.

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 and 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.