Cinnaminson, NJ, November 14th
Earlier this year, The Inquirer published an investigative report about former industrial areas in parts of Philadelphia that are being reborn in a development boom. These construction projects are bringing homes and neighborhoods into areas that were once the industrial heart of the city, but in many circumstances sat barren in recent decades. While these projects are revitalizing entire segments of the city, the investigative report looked into the hazards posed by the past industrial uses of the land that left behind contaminated soil containing lead.
In fact, the article reports that at one time, the city had 36 lead smelters, the most of any other city in the nation. The end result of all these former lead smelters was soil contamination. In the report, journalists tested exposed soil from 114 locations. The samples came from yards, playgrounds and parks. Per the article, almost 75% of the samples showed “hazardous levels of lead contamination”.
This is important information because anyone can be at risk of lead poisoning if they are exposed to elevated levels of the toxic heavy metal. Young children are at especially high risk due to their rapidly developing bodies and tendencies to put their hands and objects in their mouths. Fortunately, lead poisoning is entirely preventable when exposure risks are identified and mitigated before lead enters the body.
“It’s all too common to find soil contamination issues in former industrial areas of cities from coast to coast,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “As more of these sites are put back into use, developers and public health officials need to consider soil contamination issues that could threaten families and building occupants in the future. For those concerned about the potential presence of lead, other heavy metals or chemical contaminants in the soil around their home, school or business, EMSL offers quick and affordable testing services that provide the answer.”
EMSL Analytical, Inc. has also sponsored an educational video about possible signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/HprCSwxWl0k.
To learn more about lead or other environmental, indoor air quality, health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with 40 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, VOC’s, 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.