Lead Testing Laboratory

Huntington Beach, CA, December 17^th, 2018

Recently, the Los Angeles Times published the report, “Hundreds of workers have lead poisoning. Why hasn’t Cal/OSHA stepped in?” The article discusses the veto of Assembly Bill 2963 which would have required the Department of Public Health to alert Cal/OSHA anytime that test results showed a worker had elevated blood lead levels.

In addition to lead poisoning hazards for workers, the feature also mentioned the threat to family members of workers who track lead dusts home at the end of their shift. This secondary source of lead exposure for workers' families can take place anytime workers bring home lead-contaminated dust on their skin, hair, clothes, shoes or tools.

Secondary exposure to lead is a significant concern in California and across the nation. In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimate that approximately 804,000 workers in general industry and an additional 838,000 workers in construction are potentially exposed to lead. These workers can be exposed to lead as a result of the production, use, maintenance, recycling and disposal of lead materials and products. Lead exposure can occur in many industry sectors, including construction, manufacturing, wholesale trade, transportation, remediation and even recreation.

“If the existing rules and regulations meant to protect workers from exposure to lead hazards are not followed, or if workers have no idea they are being exposed to lead, they and their families could be at risk of lead poisoning,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “To stop lead from getting into an employee’s home and vehicle, OSHA recommends workers always wash, shower and change out of work clothes and shoes before leaving work. This is important because lead toxicity can affect every organ system and children are especially vulnerable.”

Throughout California, LA Testing offers lead testing services, sampling supplies and easy-to-use test kits to protect workers, families, the environment, and to help keep companies in regulatory compliance. LA Testing has even sponsored an educational video about secondary lead exposure risks for workers’ families that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/TSNaDLmdwXI.

To learn more about lead or other environmental and industrial hygiene testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.  For access to lead and other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) 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 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.