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Lead Safety, EPA Enforcement, and Los Angeles’ Rebuilding Efforts after Catastrophic Wildfires

Lead Testing Services

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	10/9/2025
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	Lead Safety, EPA Enforcement, and Los Angeles’ Rebuilding Efforts after Catastrophic Wildfires
Introduction	LA Testing provides laboratory services, sampling supplies, test kits, and personal protective equipment to identify and mitigate exposure to lead and other hazardous materials to protect people and to keep companies in regulatory compliance.
Huntington Beach, California, October 9, 2025 As Los Angeles continues recovery and reconstruction following the devastating wildfires earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has underscored the importance of lead safety by announcing settlements with two companies accused of violating federal lead paint regulations. The enforcement actions, involving a real estate company and a contracting firm, highlight the critical need to follow lead safety rules when renovating or repairing older properties, many of which are part of LA’s rebuilding efforts. Real estate firm settlement: The company will pay more than $21,000 for failing to comply with the Lead Disclosure Rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act. This rule requires landlords and sellers of homes built before 1978 to inform tenants and buyers about potential lead-based paint hazards and provide federally approved safety information. Contracting firm settlement: The contractor faces a $16,000 penalty for violating the EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule by performing renovation work without the required EPA certification. The RRP Rule is designed to ensure that contractors safely handle lead-based paint during renovations in older homes, childcare centers, and preschools. “Activities such as sanding, demolition, and renovation work in older buildings can generate dangerous lead-contaminated dust,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “With parts of Los Angeles undergoing significant rebuilding after the wildfires, the EPA’s actions are a vital reminder that proper lead safety protocols must be followed to protect residents and workers.” LA Testing operates laboratories throughout California, offering comprehensive environmental, industrial hygiene, and materials testing for lead, asbestos, and other hazardous substances. The company also provides sampling supplies, user-friendly test kits, air monitoring instruments, and personal protective equipment to help safeguard public health and keep businesses in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. For more information about lead testing and other environmental, health, and safety services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com, or call (800) 755-1794. For access to lead and other test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com. About LA Testing LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental, indoor air quality and material testing for mercury, asbestos, mold, bacteria, 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.