EPA and HUD announce New Environmental Lead Hazard Standards

Regulation will go into effect on January 6, 2020.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) a new, firmer guideline for lead in dust on floors and window sills to protect children from possible hazardous effects of lead exposure. EPA is reducing the dust-lead hazard standards from 40 micrograms of lead per square foot (µg/ft² ) to 10 µg/ft² on floors and from 250 µg/ft² to 100 µg/ft² on window sills.

Children exposed to lead-contaminated dust caused from deteriorating or disturbed lead-based paint experience irreversible and prolonged health issues, according to the EPA. Remodeling professionals who are renovating a home built prior to 1978 will need to closely adhere to the safety practices put in place by the Lead, Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) regulation.