Customer Service

 Customer Survey

LABConnect™ - Online Results & More

Lead Testing Services

Category Press Release
Publish Date 1/30/2025
Author Paul Cochrane
Title Private Water Wells and Lead Exposure Risks for Children and Adults
Introduction EMSL Analytical offers water testing services, sampling supplies, and easy-to-use test kits to identify heavy metals as well as microbial and chemical contaminants from private wells and other water sources.

Cinnaminson, New Jersey, January 28, 2025

In late October, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published information about lead exposure risks from private well water and its potential impact on children’s health. This is an important topic as the agency believes millions of households across the United States rely on private well water for drinking.

According to the EPA:

There is no requirement for monitoring lead or other contaminants in private water wells, as they are not federally regulated, and most states have limited regulations on private drinking water wells. Accordingly, it is important that households with private wells regularly test the quality of their drinking water. 

While lead is rarely found in source water, it can enter water through the corrosion of plumbing materials such as old lead pipes, and brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures. These can leach significant amounts of lead into the water, especially with hot water. Several years ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cautioned that private wells more than 20 years old could contain lead in the "packer" element that is used to help seal the well above the well screen. CDC also warned that some brands of older submersible pumps used in wells may also contain leaded-brass components.

“The only way to know if lead is a potential problem for those dependent on private wells is to have the water tested,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “At EMSL Analytical, we provide laboratory services to assess lead exposure hazards. Our water quality testing experts can also analyze the physical characteristics of water samples and test for a wide range of microbial and chemical contaminants. We also offer sampling supplies and easy-to-use test kits to quickly and affordably provide this important information to private well owners.”

EMSL sponsored an educational video about private wells and testing drinking water quality several years ago that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/9mtMqsTiNag 

To learn more about lead and water testing, please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com, or call (800) 220-3675. For access to Drinking Water Test Kits, visit www.WaterTestKitEMSL.com.

 

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with 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.



Atlanta, GA (LAB 07) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-1Baton Rouge, LA (LAB 25) - NVLAP Lab Code 200375-0Beltsville, MD (LAB 19) - NVLAP Lab Code 200293-0Boston, MA (LAB 13) - NVLAP Lab Code 101147-0Buffalo, NY (LAB 14) - NVLAP Lab Code 200056-0Carle Place, NY (LAB 06) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-10Charlotte, NC (LAB 41) - NVLAP Lab Code 200841-0Chicago, IL (LAB 26) - NVLAP Lab Code 200399-0Cinnaminson, NJ (LAB List in Description) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-0Dallas, TX (LAB 11) - NVLAP Lab Code 600111-0Denver, CO (LAB 22) - NVLAP Lab Code 200828-0EMSL Canada - Calgary, AB (LAB 65) - NVLAP Lab Code 500100-0EMSL Canada - Edmonton, AB (LAB 50) - NVLAP Lab Code 600321-0EMSL Canada - Markham, ON (LAB 66) - NVLAP Lab Code 600317-0EMSL Canada - Montreal, QC (LAB 68) - NVLAP Lab Code 201052-0EMSL Canada - Ottawa, ON (LAB 67) - NVLAP Lab Code 201040-0EMSL Canada - Toronto, ON (LAB 55) - NVLAP Lab Code 200877-0EMSL Canada - Vancouver, BC (LAB 69) - NVLAP Lab Code 201068-0Fort Lauderdale, FL (LAB 56) - NVLAP Lab Code 500085-0Houston, TX (LAB 15) - NVLAP Lab Code 102106-0Huntington Beach, CA (LAB 33) - NVLAP Lab Code 101384-0Indianapolis, IN (LAB 16) - NVLAP Lab Code 200188-0Kernersville, NC (LAB 02) - NVLAP Lab Code 102104-0Long Island City, NY (LAB 03) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-9Meriden, CT (LAB 24) - NVLAP Lab Code 200700-0Miami, FL (LAB 17) - NVLAP Lab Code 200204-0Minneapolis, MN (LAB 35) - NVLAP Lab Code 200019-0Ontario, California (San Bernadino County / Inland Empire) (LAB 71) - NVLAP Lab Code 600239-0Orlando, FL (LAB 34) - NVLAP Lab Code 101151-0Phoenix, AZ (LAB 12) - NVLAP Lab Code 200811-0Piscataway, NJ (LAB 05) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-2Plymouth Meeting, PA (LAB 18) - NVLAP Lab Code 200699-0Raleigh, NC (LAB 29) - NVLAP Lab Code 200671-0Rochester, NY (LAB 53) - NVLAP Lab Code 600183-0San Diego, CA (LAB 43) - NVLAP Lab Code 200855-0San Leandro, CA (LAB 09) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-3Santa Clara, CA (LAB 47) - NVLAP Lab Code 600318-0Seattle, WA (LAB 51) - NVLAP Lab Code 200613-0South Pasadena, CA (LAB 32) - NVLAP Lab Code 200232-0South Portland, ME (LAB 62) - NVLAP Lab Code 500094-0St. Louis, MO (LAB 39) - NVLAP Lab Code 200742-0Tampa, FL (LAB 93) - NVLAP Lab Code 600215-0
Sorry, this function is disabled.