Lead Testing

Cinnaminson, New Jersey, January 31, 2024

Late last month, Minnesota’s Attorney General (AG) announced a court had approved the state’s motion against a large property management company to stop exposing tenants to lead-based paints in their rental homes.

According to a news release from the AG’s office, a County District Court granted a motion for a temporary injunction against the company. In it, the AG alleged the firm violated numerous state and federal laws regarding lead-paint hazards, including by needlessly and recklessly exposing its tenants to lead-paint dust and chips by disturbing painted surfaces without taking safety precautions, such as putting up plastic sheeting to contain debris and using a HEPA-filtered vacuum to remove debris.

In the order for the temporary injunction, the property management company is now required to do the following for its rental properties in Minnesota that were built before 1978 and have not been determined to be free of lead-based paint:

• Hire certified professionals to inspect Minnesota rental homes built prior to 1978 for the presence of lead paint before the company begins any repairs;
• Draft lead-paint policies that comply with Minnesota and federal law and hire an independent expert to certify that company’s policies and procedures comply with both;
• Train employees on the company’s lead paint policies and procedures; and
• Provide the Minnesota AG’s Office with proof of compliance with lead-paint laws every three months.

“In all 50 states, lead-based paints continue to be the most common source of lead exposure for many children,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Fortunately, testing for lead can quickly identify exposure risks so the hazard can be removed or mitigated. This helps to safeguard tenants and property owners, and can also protect landlords and property management companies from costly noncompliance penalties and lawsuits. At EMSL Analytical, we have a laboratories across North America, including in Minnesota, that provide comprehensive environmental, material and industrial hygiene testing for lead and other regulated substances. We also offer sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits and personal protective equipment to help in this effort.”

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 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.