On Oct. 20, 2025, EPA released a new directive for detection and clean up of residential lead at contaminated sites. The guidance changed the regional removal management level to 600 parts per million for lead in residential soil, tripling the 2024 benchmark. Regional Management Levels provide a framework for identifying where lead removal may be appropriate.
The new directive also eased the thresholds for the regional screening levels and children’s blood lead levels when multiple lead sources are present. The previous limits were more stringent for residential properties with multiple sources of exposure, but the new directive standardized the thresholds across all properties.
Background
Jan. 17, 2024 EPA lowered its recommended screening levels and strengthened guidance for investigating and abating lead in contaminated soil, a move that is expected to expand the number of homes investigated for possible cleanup. EPA lowered the screening level for lead in soil at residential properties from 400 ppm to 200 ppm (100 ppm for residential properties with multiple sources of exposure). The updated standards will help better protect communities from lead poisoning, particularly those disadvantaged and overburdened communities experiencing lead poisoning from a range of sources. Learn more about EPA’s Final Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in the U.S. here. While the guidance goes into effect as of Jan. 17, 2024, EPA is welcoming public comment for future updates to the guidance. Read comments on the lead exposure guidance.