National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and Identifying Heavy Metal Exposure Risks in Homes, Schools and Businesses

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), takes place this year from October 25^th through the 31^st.

NLPPW is a call to bring together individuals, organizations, industry and state, tribal and local governments to increase lead poisoning prevention awareness in an effort to reduce children’s exposure to lead. This is an important effort as no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Some of the lead facts shared by NLPPW sponsors include the following: 

• Lead is a toxic element, especially in young children. When absorbed into the body, it can result in damage to the brain and nervous system, learning and behavior problems, slow growth and development, and hearing and speech problems.
• Lead poisoning is preventable. The key is preventing children from coming into contact with lead.
• Lead can be found inside and outside the home. The most common source of exposure is from lead-based paint, which was used in many homes built before 1978. Children can be exposed by swallowing or breathing in lead dust created by old paint that has cracked and chipped, eating paint chips or chewing on surfaces coated with lead-based paint, such as window sills.
• There are simple steps that can be taken to protect family members from lead-based paint hazards in the home, such as regularly cleaning the home, washing children’s hands and toys often, and wiping shoes before entering the home.
• If one lives in a home built before 1978, a certified inspector or risk assessor can be hired to check for lead-based paint hazards.
• Lead can also be found in drinking water. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are from lead pipes, faucets and fixtures.
• Other examples of possible sources of lead include some metal toys or toys painted with lead-based paint, furniture painted with lead-based paint, some metal-containing jewelry, some imported items (i.e., health remedies, foods and candies, cosmetics, powders or make-up used in religious ceremonies), and lead-glazed pottery or porcelain.

“Lead exposure risks can also come from a parent or family member that works in an occupation where they are exposed to lead dust, where it can potentially stay on their clothes and body,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “At EMSL, our lead testing professionals support the efforts of NLPPW with all types of environmental and industrial hygiene testing services in laboratories located across the United States and Canada. We even provide all of the sampling supplies needed, easy-to-use test kits and even personal protective equipment.”

EMSL also recently sponsored an educational video about National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/YfaJoRrOpI4.

To learn more about lead or other environmental, indoor air quality (IAQ), health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com . For access to environmental test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with 45 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-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC 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