New EPA Funding to Reduce Lead Exposure Risks from Drinking Water in Schools and Child care Facilities

Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $26 million in funding for states and territories to address lead in drinking water at schools and child care facilities. The agency is allocating grant funding to states and territories through the Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Grant Program.

According to the EPA announcement:

Lead is a neurotoxin that can negatively impact American children. With $26 million in funding this year, more schools will be able to identify sources of lead in their water and take action so that our nation’s children can focus on learning, playing, and developing skills that will maximize their potential and make our nation stronger.

“While exposure to lead from the past use of lead-based paints continues to be the number one way most children are exposed to lead, exposure to contaminated drinking water is also a significant issue in many places,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “It’s important to note that lead is rarely found in source water, it typically enters tap water through the corrosion of plumbing materials. Schools, homes, and other buildings constructed before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures, and solder. One of the more common problems is brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures, which can leach significant amounts of lead into the water, especially hot water.”

With laboratories located across North America that offer lead testing services, EMSL Analytical is uniquely positioned to help test water samples for the toxic heavy metal and a wide range of other potential contaminants. EMSL also provides soil, air, dust, paint chip, and other testing resources. They offer all the sampling supplies needed and even easy-to-use test kits for lead.

Several years ago, EMSL sponsored an educational video about lead in drinking water that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/2kvtAcpw1MY

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

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with 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, VOCs, 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