Lower Lead Dust Cleanup Levels Proposed by EPA to Protect Kids

Lead-containing dust is more hazardous than previously recognized, so less of it can remain after certain lead-paint abatement projects, the EPA said Wednesday announcing proposed standards that would affect homes, child care facilities, and real estate transactions.

The Environmental Protection Agency will propose to conclude that any amount of lead-containing dust on floors and window sills is hazardous, the agency said in a statement.

The proposed standards would reduce hazard levels set in 2019 of 10 micrograms per square foot (µg/ft2) for floors and 100 µg/ft2 for window sills.

The zero-level hazard conclusion is consistent with the Centers for Disease ...