Philadelphia Council Passes New Lead Safety Bill Requiring Rental Property Testing Every Four Years

This past month, the City Council of Philadelphia approved a bill aiming to ensure children are not exposed to lead in rental housing. This new safety bill will go into effect in October of 2020 and will require landlords to test rental housing for lead every four years.

Since tens of millions of individuals and families rent their homes, whether living there for a short period of time or renting the same house or apartment for years, it’s always important to have regular lead testing.

Lead paint was banned in 1978, but many homes that are still lived in today were constructed before the ban. As layers of paint deteriorate, children and adults may be exposed to lead overtime.

Tenants are usually under the assumption that landlords or property management companies are required to test their rental home for lead, but that is rarely the case. The previous law Council passed in 2011 only required testing for units with families who had children six years old or younger.

“No safe blood lead level in children has been identified according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention so it’s important that our homes do not pose an exposure risk,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “The EPA states that children’s growing bodies absorb more lead than adults and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.”

The experts at EMSL Analytical, Inc. test for lead which can help tenants, property owners and landlords identify possible exposure risks. EMSL provides sampling supplies along with easy-to-use test kits for lead and other common exposure concerns. Visit www.EMSLTestKits.com to view our list of do-it-yourself test kits.

For more information about the possible signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children, please view our sponsored educational video here: https://youtu.be/Hu1NEWaOISo.

To learn more about lead or other environmental, indoor air quality (IAQ), health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com. For questions, please call your EMSL Sales Representative or our Customer Service Center at 1-800-220-3675 or  info@EMSL.com .


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 46 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