Two California Businesses Temporarily Closed After Santa Clara County Officials Discover Lead Hazards

Two months ago, it was announced that officials had identified lead hazards in two businesses in California. Various government agencies were also reported to be seeking information from both businesses about employees and clients who were in the building within the previous 30 days.

According to the announcement, a county in California had received results of lead tests conducted inside the buildings at an indoor shooting range and a neighboring gymnastics center that are located in the same business complex. The tests, done in conjunction with the State of California Department of Public Health (CDPH), showed elevated levels of lead on surfaces inside both businesses. The businesses were closed to allow for time for proper lead abatement.

The lead is believed to be the result of the firing of bullets at the gun range. Lead exposure issues at gun ranges, especially at indoor facilities, can be a serious potential hazard. When bullets made of lead are fired at an indoor shooting range that doesn’t have adequate ventilation and cleaning procedures, their use can result in lead dust contamination.

Nationwide, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates there are 9,000 non-military outdoor firing ranges and approximately 16,000 to 18,000 indoor ranges operating across the United States. The U.S. military alone operates more than 3,000 indoor firing ranges worldwide.

“Lead exposure risks are a potential threat at shooting ranges so it’s imperative that owners and operators of indoor facilities take this hazard seriously to protect workers, the public and in this case, even a neighboring business that catered its services to young gymnasts,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility.  “As shown in this instance, lead dust can infiltrate areas outside of the shooting range itself. At LA Testing we help to identify lead hazards by offering quick and affordable lead testing from air, dust and other matrices. These services can identify exposure hazards and help determine if engineering controls and cleaning activities are effective. They are also essential for avoiding potential noncompliance citations and the fines that so often accompany health and safety violations. LA Testing even provides easy-to-use test kits and carries a wide range of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect against exposure risks.”

LA Testing has also sponsored an educational video about lead exposure risks at shooting ranges that can be viewed at: http://youtu.be/OmjzmbbPxk0.

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

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Joseph Frasca

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LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

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