National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and Protecting Residents of California from Exposure Hazards

October 20^th through the 26^th is recognized as National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) in California and throughout the rest of the nation. NLPPW is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Lead is a highly toxic heavy metal that can harm the brain and other vital organs if it gets into the human body. Everyone is susceptible to lead poisoning, but children are particularly at risk. The primary exposure risk for most children comes from lead-based paints that were used in many houses and apartments throughout California up until 1978. Lead poisoning is often caused by children accidently swallowing or breathing in lead dust created by aging and deteriorating paint, but elevated levels of lead in drinking water has also come under increased scrutiny in recent years.

The CDC states that childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among young children. However, approximately half a million U.S. children still have blood lead levels above 5 micrograms per deciliter, the reference level at which the CDC recommends public health actions be initiated.

“National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week brings together individuals, organizations, the industry, and state and local governments to help increase lead awareness to reduce childhood exposures to lead,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “This is of critical importance as the CDC states that childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among young children and yet so many are still being exposed to this toxic heavy metal.”

The scientists at LA Testing are dedicated to identifying lead hazards. With multiple laboratories across the state, they offer lead and other hazardous material testing services for samples from air, water, paint, dust, soil and other matrices. They provide all of the sampling supplies needed and also offer test kits. LA Testing even co-sponsored a video last year to spread the word about National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/OuiSO1c8k6U.

To learn more about lead or other environmental and industrial hygiene testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. For access to 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, San Diego and Ontario.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail