Last month, Governor Mike Parson of Missouri signed off on legislation that requires schools in the state to test their drinking water for elevated lead levels. If lead concentrations exceed 5 parts per billion, the school will have to install filters where the water enters the building or at individual sinks and water fountains.

A number of other states have enacted similar legislation. For example, starting last year, schools in Maine were required to test water used for drinking or culinary purposes for lead. In 2020, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) announced that schools across that state would be required to perform testing for lead from all human water consumption fixtures by December 31^st, 2021.

“These are just a few of the states that have either already enacted or have pending legislation to address lead exposure concerns from drinking water sources in their schools,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “These are all an important steps to address lead exposure since children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention and academic achievement. With a laboratory in Missouri, and dozens more across the United States and Canada, EMSL Analytical is helping in these efforts by offering testing services for lead and other heavy metals from water, soil, air, dust and other environmental samples. We also provide all of the sampling supplies needed and even offer easy-to-use test kits to assess lead in drinking water, dust and paint chips.”

Several years back, EMSL sponsored an educational video about lead in drinking water that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/2kvtAcpw1MY

To learn more about lead or other environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com . For access to lead test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with 46 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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