Elevated Levels of Lead-Contaminated Dust Found in Approximately 24 Million Homes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), today in the United States there are approximately 24 million housing units that have deteriorated lead paint and elevated levels of lead-contaminated house dust. Of these, more than four million of the dwellings are home to one or more young children.
 
Lead-based paint (LBP) and lead-contaminated dust are some of the most hazardous sources of lead for children in this country according to many health and safety professionals. Paints containing lead were banned for use in housing in 1978, but the CDC reports, “All houses built before 1978 are likely to contain some lead-based paint.”  The deterioration of the paint, or when it is disturbed, often creates the exposure risks. 
 
Children under the age of six years old are often at highest risk. This is due to the fact that they are growing so rapidly and because they tend to put their hands or other objects, which may be contaminated with lead dust, into their mouths. This is one reason why parents are strongly encouraged to have their children wash their hands and toys frequently as they can become contaminated from household dust or exterior soil, which may contain lead.
 
“The good news is that lead poisoning is entirely preventable,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “The most important thing a parent can do is to stop their children from coming into contact with any lead exposure risks in and around their home. At EMSL, we offer rapid and affordable testing solutions to identify lead in dusts and paint samples. This information allows a parent to take any necessary steps to stop exposures risks, which may include creating a barrier between areas that children live and play and any lead found until the lead contamination can be properly removed.”
 
EMSL has sponsored an educational video about protecting children from lead poisoning that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/LkEqFhNDS-U.
 
To learn more about lead or other environmental testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality (IAQ) and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) (856) 303-2503

Contact via E-mail