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EPA Strengthens Safeguards to Protect the Public from Lead in Contaminated Soil at Residential Sites

Lead Testing Services

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	2/27/2024
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	EPA Strengthens Safeguards to Protect the Public from Lead in Contaminated Soil at Residential Sites
Introduction	EMSL Analytical offers soil, dust, water, air and paint testing services to identify lead and other heavy metals to protect families and workers from exposure hazards.
Cinnaminson, New Jersey, February 27, 2024 Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it was lowering recommended screening levels and strengthening guidance for investigating and cleaning up lead-contaminated soil in residential areas where children live and play. As a result of the lower screening levels, EPA also declared it expects to investigate more residential properties for potential cleanup under the Superfund law and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. According to the EPA announcement: Screening levels are not cleanup standards. While this update will help EPA site teams make site-specific cleanup decisions to protect nearby communities, EPA makes cleanup decisions specific to each site, using site-specific factors, including risk factors and community input that can vary from site to site. “EPA says it is lowering screening levels for the first time in 30 years due to best available science,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “The agency is changing the screening level for lead in soil at residential properties from 400 parts per million (ppm) to 200 ppm. At residential properties with multiple sources of lead exposure, EPA says it will generally use 100 ppm as the screening level.” The good news is lead poisoning is entirely preventable when exposure risks are identified and properly addressed. 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. With laboratories across North America, they offer 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 resources, 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.