---
title: "What standards apply to lead paint inspections and abatement? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR (www.ecfr.gov) sources."
canonical: https://www.m-i-n-d.ai/minds/toxic-substances/lead-inspection-abatement-standards
jurisdiction: "US Federal"
last_verified: 2026-08-28
license: CC BY 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
attribution: "Source: MIND (m-i-n-d.ai)"
---

# What standards apply to lead paint inspections and abatement? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR (www.ecfr.gov) sources.

Under 40 CFR 745.227, lead-based paint activities in target housing and child-occupied facilities must follow work practice standards effective March 1, 2000, performed by EPA-certified inspectors, risk assessors, or supervisors. Inspections, lead-hazard screens, risk assessments, and abatements each have specific testing, sampling, reporting, and notification requirements, with revised dust-lead action levels effective January 12, 2026. Renovation activities are governed separately by 40 CFR 745.85, and key terms are defined in 40 CFR 745.103.

## Details / How it works

Under 40 CFR 745.227, all lead-based paint activities in target housing and child-occupied facilities must be performed by individuals certified by EPA (inspector, risk assessor, supervisor, or project designer) following the work practice standards, effective March 1, 2000. The rule covers inspections, lead-hazard screens, risk assessments, and abatements, with specific requirements for visual inspection, paint/dust/soil sampling using documented methodologies, and reporting.

Abatements require a certified supervisor onsite during preparation and post-abatement cleanup, written occupant protection plans, EPA notification at least 5 business days before start, and post-abatement clearance dust sampling. Renovation activities are separately governed by 40 CFR 745.85 under the RRP Rule, requiring certified firms and renovators, work area containment, and post-renovation cleaning verification. Definitions for terms such as 'target housing,' 'lead-based paint,' and 'lead-based paint hazard' are provided in 40 CFR 745.103.

## Numbers & thresholds

| Parameter | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Work practice standards effective date | March 1, 2000 | 40 CFR 745.227(a)(1) |
| Lead-based paint threshold | ≥1.0 mg/cm² or ≥0.5% by weight | 40 CFR 745.227(h)(1) |
| EPA notification before abatement | ≥5 business days | 40 CFR 745.227(e)(4)(i) |
| Dust-lead action levels (before Jan 12, 2026) | Floors: 10 µg/ft²; Window sills: 100 µg/ft²; Window troughs: 400 µg/ft² | 40 CFR 745.227(e)(8)(viii) |
| Dust-lead action levels (on/after Jan 12, 2026) | Floors: 5 µg/ft²; Window sills: 40 µg/ft²; Window troughs: 100 µg/ft² | 40 CFR 745.227(e)(8)(viii) |
| Soil-lead hazard (play area) | ≥400 ppm | 40 CFR 745.227(h)(4)(i) |
| Soil-lead hazard (rest of yard) | ≥1,200 ppm | 40 CFR 745.227(h)(4)(ii) |
| Recordkeeping period | ≥3 years | 40 CFR 745.227(i) |

## Exceptions & edge cases

Components replaced after 1978 or determined not to contain lead-based paint are exempt from inspection testing under 40 CFR 745.227(b)(2). Abatement notification may use an abbreviated period (no later than the start date) for emergency orders or elevated blood lead level (EBL) determinations. Open-flame burning, torching, and dry scraping of lead-based paint are prohibited during abatement; heat guns are restricted to temperatures below 1,100°F. Composite dust sampling must include at least two subsamples from the same component type. In multi-family dwellings, random sampling is permitted with a 95% confidence level that no more than 5% or 50 units exceed action levels.

## Sources

- [1] U.S. Government Publishing Office / Environmental Protection Agency — 40 CFR 745.227 — Work practice standards for conducting lead-based paint activities · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/section-745.227 · as of 2026-08-28
- [2] U.S. Government Publishing Office / Environmental Protection Agency — 40 CFR 745.85 — Lead-based paint renovation — work practice standards · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/section-745.85 · as of 2026-08-28
- [3] U.S. Government Publishing Office / Environmental Protection Agency — 40 CFR 745.103 — Definitions for lead-based paint activities · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/section-745.103 · as of 2026-08-28