Review of Dust-Lead Post-Abatement Clearance Levels

Reducing childhood lead exposure is a priority for EPA. As part of EPA’s efforts to reduce childhood lead exposure, backed by the President’s Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children, EPA evaluated the current dust-lead clearance levels (DLCL). Clearance levels are currently defined as the maximum amount of lead permitted in dust on a surface following completion of an abatement activity. Surface dust is collected via dust wipe samples that are sent to a laboratory for analysis. The post-abatement dust- lead levels must be below the clearance levels. The DLCL have not changed since they were issued in 2001. EPA is now proposing to lower the DLCL from 40 micrograms of per square feet ([mu]g/ft\2\) and 250 [mu]g/ft\2\ to 10 [mu]g/ft\2\ and 100 [mu]g/ft\2\ for floors and window sills, respectively.