Lead Testing Services

Huntington Beach, CA, June 23, 2023

California Assembly Bill (AB) 2370 requires all licensed Child Care Centers (CCCs) constructed before January 1, 2010 to test their drinking and cooking water for lead contamination between January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2023, and then every 5 years after the date of the first test.

Last month, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) announced the results of lead tests conducted in compliance with AB 2370. According to EWG, close to 1,700 licensed child care centers in California were found to “have exceeded the amount of allowable lead in drinking water given daily to preschool-age children and infants.” 5 parts per billion (ppb) is the lead limit for drinking water in CCCs in the state.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that lead is rarely found in source water, but enters tap water through corrosion of plumbing materials. Homes and buildings built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures and solder. The most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures which can leach significant amounts of lead into the water, especially hot water according to the agency. The amount of lead that may be found in drinking water also depends on the types and amounts of minerals in the water, how long the water stays in the pipes, the amount of wear in the pipes and the water’s acidity.

“The presence of elevated levels of lead in drinking water can be a health threat to anyone, but this is particularly true for children,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states there is no safe blood lead level in children. Even low levels of lead have been shown to affect IQ, a child’s ability to pay attention and academic achievement.”

To help identify lead in child care centers, schools, homes and work environments in California, LA Testing provides material and environmental laboratory testing services, sampling supplies and an easy-to-use Drinking Water Test Kit. They even sponsored an educational video about lead in drinking water several years ago 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.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. For access to test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com. 

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and 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.