Reconsideration of the Dust-Lead Hazard Standards and Dust-Lead Post-Abatement Clearance Levels

Resumo

Addressing childhood lead exposure is a priority for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This rule addresses health concerns for all affected communities, including children living in communities with environmental justice concerns, who have significantly higher blood lead levels (BLLs) than other children. As part of EPA's efforts to reduce childhood lead exposure, and in accordance with a U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 2021 opinion, EPA is proposing to lower the dust-lead hazard standards (DLHS) from 10 micrograms per square foot ([micro]g/ft\2\) and 100 [micro]g/ft\2\ for floors and window sills to any reportable level as analyzed by a laboratory recognized by EPA's National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program. This is a non-numeric value that the Agency refers to as greater than zero [micro]g/ft\2\ and may vary based on laboratory or test. While EPA's DLHS do not compel property owners or occupants to evaluate their property for lead-based paint (LBP) hazards nor take control actions, if an LBP activity such as an abatement is performed, then EPA's regulations set requirements for doing so. EPA is also proposing to change the dust-lead clearance levels (DL