New Rule Proposed by HUD to Help Children Exposed to Lead

Recently, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proposed lowering their threshold of lead in a child’s blood to match the one used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). HUD’s proposed new reference level for lead in a young child’s blood would be lowered from 20 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (µg/dL) to 5 µg/dL. The new rule would also mean that HUD would continue to be aligned with the CDC’s recommendations in the future.

HUD’s efforts are meant to immediately help young children with elevated blood lead levels living in federally assisted housing. According to HUD, “This proposed rule will potentially cover an estimated 2.9 million HUD-assisted housing units built before 1978; the year lead-based paint was banned for residential use. Of these homes, approximately 490,000 are estimated to have children under six residing in them, and 128,000 of those are estimated to contain lead-based paint.”

Also under the proposed rule, if a child under the age of six resides in HUD-assisted housing and experiences elevated blood levels, the housing provider would be required to report the case to HUD so the agency can launch an immediate environmental investigation. If it is determined that lead-based paint or lead-contaminated soil is the cause of the child’s exposure, the housing provider must clean up those hazards.

“Protecting young children from lead is essential because they are at high-risk due to their rapidly developing bodies and their tendencies to put their hands and objects in their mouths,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Lead poisoning is entirely preventable and the goal needs to be to stop lead exposures before children or others can be harmed. One of the most important things people can do is to find out whether there are any lead-based paints or other sources of lead where children live, play or visit often.”

For those concerned about the potential presence of lead in their home, school or work environment, EMSL offers environmental testing services, sampling supplies and even easy-to-use Lead in Paint & Dust Test Kits and Drinking Water Test Kits. EMSL has also sponsored an educational video about protecting children from lead poisoning that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/LkEqFhNDS-U.

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

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
 

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 40 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