High Lead Levels Found in 21 Young Children in Just 3 Months in One California County

Earlier this fall, San Joaquin County Public Health Services (PHS) announced that there were 21 cases of high lead levels discovered from blood tests in children ranging from one to six years old in just the months of April through June. The announcement included a reminder to parents that even small amounts of lead can be harmful.

According to the PHS, children at highest risk for lead exposure are those around lead-based paint in older housing. Other sources of lead poisoning exposure include:

• lead dust brought home on parents’ work clothes
• certain imported ceramic pottery and painted objects
• traditional home remedies and cosmetics
• imported spices, candies, and other food products
• lead used in soldering, crafting stained glass, handling bullets, or fishing sinkers

“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that if a home was built before 1978 there is a good chance it has lead-based paint,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “EPA also shares the fact that lead from paint, including lead-contaminated dust, is one of the most common causes of lead poisoning. The good news is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that lead poisoning is 100% preventable. Sadly, despite this truth, each year in counties across California there are children still being diagnosed with elevated lead blood levels.”

To help identify lead exposure risks in California, LA Testing offers environmental, material, and industrial hygiene testing services for lead and other heavy metals. LA Testing also provides sampling supplies and easy-to-use test kits. If test results indicate a risk, steps can then be taken to eliminate or mitigate exposure hazards to these toxic heavy metals.

To learn more about environmental, material, and industrial hygiene testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. To access lead or other 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 public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), 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

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