Hazard Standards and Clearance Levels for Lead in Paint, Dust and Soil (TSCA Sections 402 and 403)
EPA’s dust-lead hazard standards (DLHS) provide the basis for risk assessors to determine whether dust-lead hazards are present during a risk assessment or a lead hazard screen in pre-1978 homes and childcare facilities. Dust-lead clearance levels (DLCL) are used to evaluate the effectiveness of post abatement cleaning and will reduce dust-lead related risks to children in pre-1978 homes and childcare facilities (where lead abatement activities take place). To achieve clearance when dust sampling is required, values below those levels must be achieved.
In July 2023, EPA proposed updating the dust-lead hazard standards (DLHS) and dust-lead clearance levels (DLCL). The proposal would change the DLHS for floors and window sills to any reportable level greater than zero, as analyzed by any laboratory recognized by EPA’s National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program. The new DLCL would be 3 micrograms per square foot (μg/ft²) for floors, 20 μg/ft² for window sills and 25 μg/ft² for window troughs.
- Read the proposed rule and submit a public comment by October 2, 2023.
- Read our fact sheet describing the proposed rule (PDF)
EPA’s current hazard standards are 10 micrograms µg/ft² for floors and 100 µg/ft² for window sills. EPA’s current clearance levels are 10 µg/ft² for floors, 100 µg/ft² for window sills and 400 µg/ft² for window troughs.
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Background and History
EPA first established DLHS and DLCL in 2001 under sections 401, 402, and 403 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
In addition, EPA established that a seller or lessor of target housing must disclose information about lead-based paint hazards under the Section 1018 real estate disclosure regulations of the Residential Lead-based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992. Please refer to those regulations for information on compliance requirements regarding the Disclosure Program.
In June 2019, EPA finalized a rule that lowered the DLHS to 10 μg/ft² for floors and 100 μg/ft² for window sills. The strengthened standards became effective January 2, 2020.
In January 2021, EPA finalized a rule that lowered the DLCL to 10 μg/ft² for floors, 100 μg/ft² for window sills. DLCL for window troughs remained the same at 400 μg/ft². The new clearance levels became effective March 8, 2021.
In July 2023, EPA proposed revising the DLHS and DLCL again to reflect the best available science. The proposal would change the DLHS for floors and window sills to any reportable level greater than zero, as analyzed by any laboratory recognized by EPA’s National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program. The new DLCL would be 3 μg/ft² for floors, 20 μg/ft² for window sills and 25 μg/ft² for window troughs.
Opportunities for Engagement
EPA will accept public comments on the proposed DLHS and DLCL changes until October 2, 2023, via docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2023-0231 at www.regulations.gov. To submit a comment, click “Browse Documents” to view the proposed risk management rule. Click on the “Comment” button to submit your comment.
EPA hosted a public webinar on the proposed rule on August 23, 2023, at 2 p.m. EDT. During the webinar, EPA provided an overview of the proposed changes to the DLHS and DLCL and provided an opportunity for stakeholders to comment on this proposal. Read through the overview briefing and transcript from the event.
Additional Information
To speak to a specialist about the lead hazard standards, call the National Lead Information Center at 1 (800) 424-LEAD [5323].
- 40 CFR Part 745, Reconsideration of the Dust-Lead Hazard Standards and Dust-Lead Post-Abatement Clearance Levels; Proposed Rule - 8/1/2023
- 40 CFR Part 745, Review of Dust-Lead Post-Abatement Clearance Levels; Final Rule – 1/7/2021
- 40 CFR Part 745, Review of the Dust-Lead Clearance Levels; Proposed Rule – 6/17/2020
- 40 CFR Part 745, Review of the Dust-Lead Hazard Standards and the Definition of Lead-Based Paint; Final Rule – 6/21/2019
- 40 CFR Part 745, Review of the Dust-Lead Hazard Standards and the Definition of Lead-Based Paint; Proposed Rule – 7/2/2018
- 40 CFR Part 745, Lead; Identification of Dangerous Levels of Lead; Final Rule – 1/5/2001
- 40 CFR Part 745, Lead; Identification of Dangerous Levels of Lead; Proposed Rule – 6/3/1998
- Economic Analysis of Toxic Substances Control Act Section 403: Hazard Standards (PDF)
- Risk Analysis to Support Standards for Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil, June 1998 (EPA 747-R-97-006)
- Risk Analysis to Support Standards for Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil: Supplemental Report, December 2000 (EPA 747-R-00-004)
- Response to Comments Final Rule, December 2000 (PDF)