Lead Testing

Raleigh, North Carolina, October 30, 2023

In August, the City of Durham in North Carolina announced it had fenced off parts of multiple city parks due to concerns over lead contamination in the soil. City officials were first made aware of the potential hazard when a college student recommended soil testing based on historical accounts of the land use prior to them becoming parks.

Durham Parks and Recreation reports a number of soil tests have been taken, some of which have shown elevated lead levels. At least some of the park lands were once used as incinerator sites to burn trash according to media reports.

“Soil contamination issues like this are all too common in areas that have a long history of industrial use,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Contamination can result when hazardous substances are incinerated, spilled, or buried directly on the soil, or migrate to the soil from somewhere nearby. While anyone can be at risk of lead poisoning if they are exposed to the toxic heavy metal, young children and kids playing on contaminated park grounds can be at especially high risk due to their rapidly developing bodies and tendencies to put their hands and objects in their mouths. As more former industrial sites are redeveloped, city planners, developers, and health officials need to consider soil contamination issues that could threaten the public.”

The good news is lead poisoning is entirely preventable when exposure risks are identified and properly handled. Here to help those concerned about the potential presence of lead or other contaminants in the soil around athletic fields, playgrounds, homes, schools, or businesses are the testing experts at EMSL Analytical, Inc. Their laboratories provide quick and affordable environmental and material testing. These tests can help to determine contamination levels, as well as be used for post-remediation clearance testing. EMSL also provides sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, and 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. For access to lead 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.