Cinnaminson, New Jersey, June 11, 2025
Lead-based paints were banned in the United States for residential use in 1978. Regrettably, many homes built before then still have some lead-based paints in them that could cause exposure risks for building occupants and anyone involved in renovation and remodeling activities.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently reports that there are approximately 34 million homes in the U.S. that have lead-based paint somewhere in the building. These lead-based paints continue to be one of the most significant sources of lead exposure and lead poisoning. This is due to the fact that as these paints deteriorate, are disturbed, or when they are unsafely removed from surfaces by dry scraping, sanding, or open-flame burning, lead-containing dust can contaminate a property. People can then be exposed by inhaling or ingesting the lead dust.
These are all reasons why potential lead exposures need to be considered during renovation and remodeling activities in homes and buildings. The EPA even requires any renovation, repair, or painting (RRP) projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and preschools built before 1978 to be performed by lead-safe certified contractors. In most cases, EPA’s Lead RRP rule does not apply to homeowners doing projects in their own homes.
"Lead is toxic for all people, but this is especially true for young children,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “At EMSL Analytical, we have dozens of lead testing laboratories that offer material, environmental, and industrial hygiene testing services to safeguard children, families, and workers. We also offer sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments, building inspection tools, and personal protective equipment to identify and mitigate contact with lead, asbestos, mold, and other hazards in the built environment.”
EMSL recently sponsored an educational video about potential lead exposure risks from renovation and remodeling projects that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/vdRs4mq8M58
To learn more about lead or other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) testing resources, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675, or email info@EMSL.com. To access IEQ 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.
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