Jun 3 2008
The makers of LeadCheck Swabs, the leading consumer lead detection kit, today said that as a result of recent government analysis and evaluation the US Environmental Protection Agency has recognized LeadCheck kits for use in testing for lead-based paint.
The EPA recognition means that LeadCheck(R) kits will be among those okayed for use by homeowners, tenants, contractors, renovators, and others. Federal law requires that individuals receive information on lead hazards and lead exposure before renovating painted surfaces and the EPA's brochure, "Renovate Right," says contractors must use lead test kits that are "EPA-approved."
The inexpensive LeadCheck(R) Swabs, which are available in retail home centers, were evaluated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the superior results in detecting lead-based paint earned the recognition from the EPA.
"This recognition is an important milestone for our company and our product," said Dr. Marcia J. Stone, president and chief executive officer of Hybrivet Systems Inc., which has been making home lead detection products for more than 15 years. "We know from experience and customer feedback that our LeadCheck(R) Swabs are very effective in detecting and locating lead in the home and we're pleased to have our efforts recognized by the EPA."
LeadCheck(R) is the only recognized test kit that does not use a noxious sulfide chemical and require time-consuming dilution or mixing of reagents. LeadCheck(R) kits can be safely carried in a shirt pocket in ready-to-use condition and can instantly detect lead on most surfaces.
"Despite all the attention lead contamination has been getting lately, it continues to be a real and present danger and homeowners, consumers, contractors and others need to have easy-to-use tools to find it quickly," Stone said. "We applaud the EPA's efforts to keep this issue front-and-center with homebuilders and homeowners."
Prolonged lead exposure has been found to have serious and deleterious health consequences, particularly in children.