EPA finalized a rule to reduce the acceptable level of lead in dust that EPA considers hazardous, and lower the threshold for the amount of lead that can remain in dust on surfaces after abatement. Ingesting lead is especially harmful for children, which can cause irreversible health effects including behavioral problems, lower IQ, and delayed growth. According to EPA, 31 million homes constructed before 1978 (the year lead-based paint was banned for residential use) still contain lead-based paint, and 3.8 million of those homes have one or more children under the age of six living there, particularly in communities with environmental justice concerns. The rule does not require property owners to test for lead or control lead exposure, but they do set the standards for abatement activities if they occur. Learn more about the final rule. The rule went into effect on January 13, 2025.
Federal Environmental Justice Tracker