Californian’s Who Turn to Urban Gardening Need to be Aware of Lead Dangers

LA Testing provides lead testing services to ensure urban gardens have not been planted in soils contaminated with high levels of lead or other heavy metals.

Garden Grove, CA

This week the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s is recognizing National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW), October 24–30, 2010, to raise awareness of lead poisoning in children.

Approximately 50% of the world’s population lives in cities and California is no exception. With the world economy taking a toll on many families, a resurgence in urban gardening has been witnessed across the state. In recent years food grown in the backyard has helped families with tight budgets and provided fresh fruits and vegetables to thousands.

Many of these urban gardens are located in areas that may be contaminated with lead. For decades lead was added to paints used in the United States and as the lead-based paints deteriorated they would often flake off and settle in the surrounding soils.

Lead causes a variety of adverse health effects, including brain and nervous system disorders, high blood pressure and hypertension, and reproductive problems. For children, even low levels of exposure to lead can cause a host of developmental effects such as learning disabilities, decreased intelligence and speech, language, and behavioral problems, which can affect children for a lifetime.

LA Testing, an affiliate of EMSL Analytical and a leading provider of environmental testing services, provides comprehensive lead testing services for urban gardeners to ensure their produce is safe for human consumption. “Many home gardeners never think about the dangers from lead-based paints contaminating the soil,” reported Ben Sublasky, National Director of Client Services for LA Testing and EMSL Analytical. “Urban gardeners are encouraged to have a simple lead test of their soil performed if they are gardening anywhere that may have once had lead based paints in use. Raised gardening beds with new soil are also a good alternative for home gardeners.”

To learn more about lead and heavy metal testing services please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are providers of environmental testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Ben Sublasky

National Director of Clients Services/Operations Manager

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

Contact via E-mail