New Legislation Requires CDPH to Quickly Notify Cal/OSHA of Workers With Elevated Blood Lead Levels

Beginning on the first day of this year, Assembly Bill No. 35 requires the California Department of Public Health’s Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (OLPPP) to notify Cal/OSHA within 5 business days when it identifies a workplace where a worker has a blood lead level of 20 micrograms per deciliter or higher. Cal/OSHA is then required to open an enforcement investigation within 3 business days.

As stated by OLPPP, lead poisoning continues to be a major problem in the U.S. There are many ways a person can be exposed to lead, but most adults with harmful lead levels are exposed on the job. Lead serves no useful purpose in the body, and it can cause serious and permanent health problems. Even low levels over years or decades can cause damage. That’s why it is important for workers and employers to do everything they can to lower the amount of lead in the workplace.

“To protect workers from lead exposure hazards, employers should survey the workplace for lead-containing items, and conduct exposure monitoring and air sampling,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “In any occupation where workers could be exposed, they need to be trained on lead hazards and safe work practices, have and know how to use the appropriate personal protective equipment, work in an environment with effective engineering controls, and have a lead monitoring program available to them. Failure to protect workers can cause serious health issues and result in costly noncompliance penalties for the employer.”

The laboratory specialists at LA Testing provide industrial hygiene and environmental testing services for lead and other heavy metals. With multiple facilities across California, they offer testing services for samples from air, water, paint, dust, soil and other matrices. LA Testing also provides all of the sampling supplies needed, easy-to-use test kits and carries a wide range of personal protective equipment (PPE) to safeguard workers.

To learn more about lead or other environmental and industrial hygiene testing services and products, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. For access to environmental 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-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), 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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LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

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