National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and Identifying Exposure Risks in People’s Homes

This year, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) takes place from October 21^st through the 27^th. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes the weeklong campaign as a call to bring together individuals, organizations, industry, and state and local governments to help increase lead awareness by using their efforts and collaborations to reduce childhood exposure to lead.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) characterizes lead as a highly toxic metal, especially in young children. When absorbed into the body, it can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs. The agency goes on to report that lead can be found in several places both inside and outside of some homes, including in the water that travels through lead pipes or in the soil around a house. However, it is mostly found in lead-based paints, which were used in homes before 1978. Lead poisoning is frequently caused by accidently swallowing or breathing in the lead dust created by this old paint that has cracked and chipped.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among young children, yet approximately half a million U.S. children have blood lead levels above 5 micrograms per deciliter, the reference level at which the CDC recommends public health actions be initiated.

“The good news is lead poisoning is entirely preventable when exposure risks are identified before the toxic heavy metal can enter the body,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Environmental testing for lead, in painted surfaces, dust, water, soil and other sources, is instrumental for identifying exposure risks to protect children, families, and workers in professions that could exposure them to occupational hazards. Once identified, these risks can be eliminated or mitigated to prevent lead poisoning.”

Helping with these efforts are the scientists at EMSL Analytical, Inc. They offer quick and affordable lead testing services, all of the sampling supplies necessary to collect and submit samples, and even offer easy-to-use test kits. EMSL has also sponsored an educational video about National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/4AwFRXxi36Q.

To learn more about lead or other environmental, indoor air quality, 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 over 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 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