Recently, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) was asked to conduct a study by the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). For the study, CDPH analyzed blood lead levels in children living near a closed battery recycling plant in Vernon, California.

CDPH’s analysis found that blood lead levels in children near the facility are higher than for those who live further away from the industrial site. However, the age of housing in the area appears to play a significant role. The agency found that 3.58% of young children, within one mile of the facility, had levels of 4.5 micrograms of lead or more per deciliter of blood. For comparison, during 2012 in Los Angeles County overall, 1.95% of children fell into this higher blood lead category. In the zone greater than one mile from the facility, and still within the study’s broader analysis of the area surrounding the facility that reached up to 4.5 miles away, the percentage of children in the higher category was 2.41%.

Young children are generally considered to be at greatest risk of lead poisoning due to their rapidly developing bodies and their frequent hand-to-mouth activities. Since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified, the only way to prevent lead poisoning from occurring is to prevent exposure.

“Lead exposure from a former or current industrial site or from the aging of lead-based paint in a home are all significant hazards that children should not be exposed to,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “At LA Testing, we offer lead analysis, sampling supplies and easy-to-use test kits to identify lead hazards from all types of environmental samples. If elevated levels of lead are found inside or outside of a home, parents can then take corrective actions to mitigate their families’ risk of lead poisoning.”

LA Testing has sponsored an educational video about protecting children from lead poisoning risks that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/LkEqFhNDS-U.

To learn more about environmental testing for lead or other indoor air quality (IAQ), occupational, health and safety services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.  For access and more information about lead test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.  

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for 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 ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, NVLAP, CDC ELITE, 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 Huntington Beach, San Diego, San Leandro, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena.