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EPA Proposes Tough New Lead Paint Standards and Resources to Protect Children in California

Lead Testing

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	9/14/2023
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	EPA Proposes Tough New Lead Paint Standards and Resources to Protect Children in California
Introduction	LA Testing offers environmental, material and industrial hygiene testing services to detect lead and other regulated substances to protect the public and to help businesses comply with health and safety regulations.
Huntington Beach, CA, September 14, 2023 In July, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed strengthening requirements for the removal of lead-based paint hazards in pre-1978 buildings and child care facilities. The proposed changes to abatement activities are meant to better protect children and communities from the harmful effects of exposure to dust generated from lead paint. If finalized, the new rule is estimated to reduce the lead exposures of approximately 250,000 to 500,000 children under age six each year. The proposed rule would strengthen EPA’s regulations under section 402 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) by revising the dust-lead hazard standards (DLHS), which identify hazardous lead in dust on floors and window sills, and the dust-lead clearance levels (DLCL), the amount of lead that can remain in dust on floors, window sills and window troughs after lead removal activities. The proposal would reduce the DLHS from 10 micrograms per square foot (µg/ft²) for floors and 100 µg/ft² for window sills to any reportable level greater than zero in recognition of the fact that there is no level of lead in dust that has been found to be safe for children. It would lower the DLCL from 10 µg/ft² to 3 µg/ft² for floors, from 100 µg/ft² to 20 µg/ft² for window sills, and from 400 µg/ft² to 25 µg/ft² for window troughs, which are the lowest post-abatement dust-lead levels that EPA believes can be reliably and effectively achieved. “These proposed tougher standards could go a long way towards safeguarding our children as even low levels of lead are detrimental to health,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “At LA Testing, we are dedicated to helping companies, regulatory agencies, health advocates and the public test for lead and other regulated substances in California. Our testing experts offer environmental, material and industrial hygiene testing services, sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, personal protective equipment and more. These services protect the public and workers, and help to keep companies and institutions in compliance with health and safety regulations.” To learn more about lead or other environmental, health and safety testing resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. For access to lead and other environmental test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com. About LA Testing LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for food, consumer product, environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, 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 and San Diego.