California’s Prop 65 and Public Health Concerns over Lead

Garden Grove, CA, January 14, 2013

In 1986, California voters approved an initiative to address increasing concerns over exposure to toxic chemicals. That initiative, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is better known by its original name of Proposition 65.

Proposition 65 requires businesses to notify Californians about significant amounts of chemicals in the products they purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment.  This list includes lead which was added to the Prop 65 list in 1987.

There are many ways people can be exposed to lead.  They include exposure to contaminated air, drinking water, food, soil, deteriorating lead-based paints, and dust. Lead-based paint is one of the most significant sources of lead exposure. Many homes built before 1960 contain heavily leaded paint. Some homes built as recently as 1978 also contain lead-based paint. This paint could be on window frames, walls, the outside of homes, or other surfaces. Harmful exposure to lead can be created when lead-based paint deteriorates or when it is improperly removed from surfaces by dry scraping, sanding, or open-flame burning.

“During home renovation and remodeling activities in older homes, potential exposure to lead should be considered,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.   “Individuals can be poisoned by scraping or sanding lead-based paints because these activities can generate large amounts of lead dust.  Avoid tracking dust from a work area throughout the rest of the home.  Proper personal protective gear and cleanup equipment is essential.  LA Testing provides testing services to help prevent exposure to this potentially dangerous material.”

LA Testing has sponsored an educational video about lead hazards during home renovations and remodeling projects that can be seen at:

http://youtu.be/4KwNujqAL9A

To learn more about testing for lead or other Proposition 65 testing services please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. 

About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are providers of environmental testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-866-798-1089

jfrasca@emsl.com