Lead Tests Likely for Many More High-Risk California Children

Last October, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Assembly Bill 1316 after it had been unanimously approved by California lawmakers. AB 1316 requires the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to revise regulations for when doctors test children’s blood for lead exposure, opening the door for hundreds of thousands of new children to be tested each year.

All children impacted by AB 1316 are to be evaluated for risk of lead poisoning by healthcare providers during each child’s periodic health assessment. The new regulations include the determination of risk factors for whether a child is “at risk.” When determining the risk factors, the CDPH shall consider the most significant environmental risk factors, including, but not limited to, a child’s time spent in a home, school or building built before 1978, a child’s proximity to a former lead or steel smelter or an industrial facility that historically emitted or currently emits lead, a child’s proximity to a freeway or heavily traveled roadway, other potential risk factors for lead exposure, and known sources of lead contamination.

“The signing of AB 1316 is an important development for at-risk children throughout California,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Up to 300,000 more children could be tested. The signing of this new bill is also a reminder to parents that lead poisoning is entirely preventable, the key is to recognize lead exposure hazards that may currently exist in people’s homes, daycares, schools, playgrounds and anywhere that children spend time.”  

To help identify potential lead exposure hazards from air, water, dust, surfaces, soil and paint chips, LA Testing offers comprehensive analytical services, sampling supplies and easy-to-use test kits. LA Testing has even sponsored an educational video about protecting children from lead poisoning that can be seen at:  https://youtu.be/Bsv3G6LSQ1E.

To learn more about lead or other environmental testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794.  For access to lead and other easy-to-use indoor environmental quality (IEQ) test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC Elite, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail