NYC Health Department Launches Lead Awareness Campaign for City’s South Asian Community

Earlier this year, the New York City Health Department (NYC Health) launched an awareness campaign focused on lead exposure within the South Asian community. The announcement was part of the city’s LeadFreeNYC initiative that aims to address lead exposure risks for area residents.

The NYC Health announcement states, “While peeling lead paint remains the primary source of lead exposure in young children among all races and ethnicities, some traditional consumer products used in the South Asian community can contain lead. The campaign advises New Yorkers about the health risks of lead exposure and provides recommendations on how to reduce exposure and encourages blood lead testing for New Yorkers who use or come into contact with these products.”

The half million dollar campaign takes specific aim at some South Asian cosmetics, religious powders, Ayurvedic medicines, spices and ceramic ware. As recently as late last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had posted information about a spice mix recall initiated by a New York importer after it was discovered that the product contained elevated levels of lead.

“Exposure to lead can be a risk for people of all ages,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “However, children are especially vulnerable and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified and that even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention and academic achievement. To help prevent lead exposure from lead-based paints, dusts, soils, water, cosmetics, foods, consumer products and traditional medicines, EMSL offers lead testing services, sampling supplies and even test kits for indoor environmental sampling. We have multiple laboratories throughout New York as well as dozens more across the United States and Canada that are available to help.”

To learn more about lead or other environmental, food, material and consumer product testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com . To access indoor environmental quality test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 46 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, VOC’s, 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.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail