Environmental Lead Analysis

The State Public Health Laboratory analyzes drinking water, soil, dust wipes and paint samples for the presence of Lead that are collected from the homes of children with elevated blood Lead levels.

To qualify as an elevated blood Lead and environmental sampling, a child must have a confirmed blood Lead result of 15 ug/dL or greater.

The State Public Health Laboratory analyzes all environmental Lead samples by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and is an American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) environmental Lead accredited laboratory for the analysis of soils, dust wipes and paints. This accreditation is accepted by the National Cooperation for Laboratory Accreditation (NCLA). Thus, all submitters must meet and follow certain criteria and procedures as established by the State Public Health Laboratory.

• Water samples must be submitted by an Environmental Public Health Specialist or Environmental Specialist employed by a public health agency.
• Paint, dust wipe or soil samples must be submitted by a Licensed Lead Risk Assessor.
• All environmental lead samples must be submitted in collection devices provided free of charge by the State Public Health Laboratory to the Licensed Lead Risk Assessor.

These measures provide several quality assurances, including guarantees that collection devices do not contain detectable amounts of lead.

To know more about becoming a Licensed Lead Risk Assessor visit the Department of Health and Senior Services web site at: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Lead/definitions.html.

Environmental Sample Collection Information

• Water samples should have at least 500 milliliters in a one-liter plastic collapsible container. The samples must be shipped as soon as possible after collection so that it arrives within one week of collection.
• Paint samples should contain the equivalent of a 3- inch square piece of paint and be placed in the provided bag.
• Soil samples should have at least 400 grams and be placed in the provided bag.
• Dust wipe samples must be collected in the certified lead-free tubes provided by the State Public Health Laboratory.
• Dust wipe samples must have a field blank placed in the tube provided and must be submitted with each sample set. The sample set will be rejected if a field blank is not submitted or labeled.

SPHL Environmental Lead Analysis Form

To request collection devices contact us.

For more information about the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Childhood Blood Lead Program contact us or the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' Section for Environmental Public Health at 573-751-6079.

Visit the Local Public Health Agency web site at: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/LPHA/PublicHealthAgencies.html