3M’s New Lead Check Products Aim To Make Lead Detection Quicker

MMNPL’s Ashley DePaolo stopped by the 3M booth at the 2012 National Hardware Show to learn about their new product Lead Check.

Ashley DePaolo: Alright so Mona tell me your name, title, and what you do at 3M.

Mona Jannahuskey: My name is Mona Jannahuskey and I’m a technical manager in the construction and home improvement markets laboratory, and I have responsibility for our scotch blue masking tape products, our duct tape products and the product we’re going to be talking about today.

Ashley: Great! So tell me about lead check.

Mona: Okay, so we have this product out that’s called Lead Check, and it’s the first product that was recognized by the EPA to test for lead on metal and wood, and recently it has just been recognized by the EPA for drywall and plaster. So, that’s been a huge boom for our contractors.

Ashley: When the product first launched I assume that, and you know correct me if I’m wrong here, that you were probably more focused on the contractor market?

Mona: Yes definitely. Because there was a ruling that came out, an RRP ruling- Renovation, Repair and Painting- that came out that said that pre-1978 homes had to be checked for lead before any renovation had to be done. And these contractors, if they found lead, had to be certified in order to do the renovation.

Ashley: Then over the evolution of the product being available in the marketplace, has your focus at all shifted to the consumer so they can sort of check their own house?

Mona: Yes. We do have what is called a Lead Check Screen, and that’s going to be something that’s coming out so they’ll be able to take a look into toys and just get an idea if there is something there then you should be contacting a contractor that is skilled and has been trained in renovation for lead

Ashley: So tell me, where is Lead Check available?

Mona: This product is available in most of the major home centers.

Ashley: And what’s the price point?

Mona: You can do this test for about um $5 a swab so we have a 2 pack and we have an 8 pack the 8 pack retails for about $24.99 and the 2 pack is right around the $10 point.

Ashley: Great! Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me.

Mona: Thank you.

Check back soon for more interviews, videos and product demos from the 2012 National Hardware Show.

New Product Launches at the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas

New Product Launches at the
National Hardware Show in Las Vegas

MMNPL Reporter and VP of Schneider Associates’ Home Products Practice Ashley DePaolo traveled to the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas earlier this month and got the scoop from exhibitors about new product introductions on display at the show. Ashley recorded video interviews with representatives from stalwarts like 3M, Ingersoll-Rand, Duck Tape, EZ Lawn and Garden and the Money Pit team, as well as brands like PIC Pest Free Living, Mr. Longarm, Lead Check, Command Brand, iTouchless and Xodus Innovations. Check out this mashup-style intro to all the fun, festivities and fantastic new products at the 2012 National Hardware Show.