Lead Abatement, Inspection and Risk Assessment

Background

In 1978, the federal government banned the sale of lead-based paint for use in homes, childcare facilities and preschools. Approximately three-quarters of the homes in the United States built before 1978 still contain some lead-based paint. Children can live safely in these homes as long as paint and surfaces are in good condition and surfaces are kept clean. The key is to keep children from coming into contact with lead.

However, when painted surfaces are not maintained, paint can deteriorate, peel, chip or crack and become a hazard. Old or worn lead-based paint, especially on surfaces subject to constant friction like doors or window sills, can produce chips and dust that become a hazard when inhaled or ingested.

Lead-Based Paint Activities Program

Lead-based paint activities identify and address lead-based paint hazards in housing and child-occupied facilities (childcare facilities and preschools) built before 1978, and include inspections, risk assessments and abatement projects. The only way to know for certain whether a building has lead-based paint or lead hazards is to have it tested. Lead-based paint inspections and risk assessments are useful first steps that can help homeowners, property owners and others make informed decisions about managing lead-based paint and lead hazards in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities.

A person using an XRF to test for lead paint

A lead-based paint inspection tells you if a building has lead-based paint and where the lead-based paint is located. It won’t tell you whether the building currently has lead hazards or how to deal with them.
A lead-based paint risk assessment tells you if a building has any lead hazards from paint, dust or soil, and what actions to take to address any hazards.
Lead abatement is an activity designed to permanently address lead-based paint hazards. For example, abatement methods for paint hazards include removing, sealing or enclosing lead-based paint with special materials. Just painting over the paint hazards with regular paint will not permanently address lead-based paint hazards. Abatement is sometimes ordered by a state or local government and can involve specialized techniques not typically performed by most residential contractors.

EPA administers the lead-based paint activities program only where Tribes, states or territories are not authorized by EPA to operate their own programs. EPA administers the Lead-Based Paint Activities Program in Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina, South Dakota and Wyoming, as well as the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and most Tribal lands. If you live somewhere not listed, find links to resources for EPA-authorized Tribal, state and territorial lead-based paint activities programs.

EPA requires individuals and firms who perform lead-based paint inspections, risk assessments and abatement projects in pre-1978 target housing and child-occupied facilities to be certified and follow specific work practices. Learn more about the lead-based paint activities regulations.

Resources for Homeowners, Renters and Lead Professionals

Report a Violation

EPA enforces lead-based paint laws to protect you and your family. If you suspect there is a problem, call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-5323 or report a violation to EPA online.

Homeowners and Renters

A home that contains lead-based paint does not necessarily present a health risk. Generally, lead-based paint in good condition is not a hazard. Owners and occupants should regularly monitor and check for deteriorating paint (paint that is peeling, chipping, chalking or cracking). If painted surfaces are deteriorating, this may create a hazard that requires immediate attention and a certified lead professional should be hired. Find information for homeowners and renters about inspections, risk assessments and abatement.

Use the Lead-Based Paint Professional Locator to find lead-based paint professionals in your area. Tribes, states and territories can be authorized by EPA to run their own lead-based paint program.

Abatement Contractors, Inspectors, Risk Assessors and Project Designers

Lead-based paint regulations apply to abatement activities, inspection, risk assessment, and project design in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities. Find a course or accredited training provider near you to become a certified abatement worker or supervisor, inspector, risk assessor or project designer.

The National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP) is an EPA program that defines the minimum requirements and abilities that a laboratory must meet to attain EPA recognition as an accredited lead testing laboratory. EPA established NLLAP to recognize laboratories that demonstrate the ability to accurately analyze paint chips, dust or soil samples for lead.

Training Providers

Training providers must be accredited by EPA (or an authorized Tribal, state or territorial program) to teach certified courses for abatement workers, supervisors, lead-based paint inspectors, risk assessors and project designers. Learn how to become an accredited training provider and find more information.

Abatement vs. RRP

A contractor puts lead hazard tape over a door

Are you confused about the difference between abatement and renovation, repair and painting (RRP) projects? Lead abatement activities and RRP projects may sometimes look similar, but they are two separate programs that require different certifications and are regulated differently by EPA. Learn how they are similar and different.

Any RRP project in a pre-1978 home or building can easily create dangerous lead dust. EPA requires that RRP projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, childcare facilities and preschools built before 1978 be performed by lead-safe certified contractors. Learn more about the RRP Program.

Other Federal Resources

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

HUD’s Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes programs work to create new ways to improve homes, share important information that people can use to make their homes healthier, fund programs that help make homes safer and inform the public on how to prepare for and adapt to extreme temperatures and disasters.

Lead Safe Housing Rule (LSHR) Toolkit: This toolkit helps practitioners understand and comply with the federal lead rules. The rules apply to almost all ownership, rentals and sales of pre-1978 housing, regardless of occupants or federal assistance, to keep children and families safe from lead.
HUD Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing: The Guidelines support HUD’s vision to reduce hazards in housing in a cost-effective manner while protecting the health of children. The Guidelines apply to lead hazard evaluation and control in all federally associated housing.
EPA Certified Renovation Firms and Certified Renovators Additional Requirements of HUD's Lead Safe Housing Rule (pdf) (255.81 KB) : HUD’s Lead Safe Housing Rule (found in HUD’s regulations at 24 CFR Part 35, Subparts B through R), generally applies to work performed in target housing units receiving HUD housing assistance, such as rehabilitation or acquisition assistance.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Employers are required to protect workers from inorganic lead exposure under specific OSHA lead standards covering general industry, shipyards and construction. Find information from OSHA about lead exposures and read OSHA’s lead standards.