Change is constant in our industry, and staying informed is essential to delivering our best work here at KPH. A 2021 analysis by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development revealed that nearly 31 million pre-1978 homes still contain lead-based paint, with 3.8 million of these homes housing at least one child under six. This data underscores the critical need for rigorous lead hazard assessments and abatement strategies to combat lead exposure, especially in areas with young children.
In October 2024, the EPA finalized new regulations that tightened standards for identifying and remediating lead hazards in pre-1978 homes and childcare facilities. For floors, the allowable level dropped from 10 to 5 µg/ft²; on window sills, it dropped from 100 to 40 µg/ft²; and on window troughs, it fell from 400 to 100 µg/ft². Under these rules, any reportable level of lead in dust — as determined by an EPA-accredited laboratory — is now considered hazardous, a shift that acknowledges there is no safe level of lead exposure for children.
The new regulations also adopt the terms “dust-lead reportable levels” and “dust-lead action levels,” clarifying when abatement is recommended versus when to employ best practices, such as using a HEPA-filtered vacuum and damp cleaning of hard surfaces. Additionally, the rule includes revisions to the definitions of target housing and abatement, ensuring that the EPA will recommend abatement when dust-lead loadings reach or exceed these action levels. For context, Wisconsin’s current standards for lead hazard screening and clearance — such as 10 µg/ft² on floors, 100 µg/ft² on window sills, and specified thresholds for window wells and porch floors — remain notably higher than these new thresholds.
Along with these changes, there is an additional focus on replacing lead pipes across the nation. The Biden Administration’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan set a 10-year target to replace every lead pipe in the U.S. This plan requires water systems to update inventories, identify unknown service lines, and replace lead or certain galvanized service lines — including those at rental properties — while also lowering the lead action threshold in drinking water from 15 μg/L to 10 μg/L. With these heightened regulations, companies in the lead abatement industry will face challenges in achieving clearance levels, as the stricter thresholds demand more thorough cleanup and may complicate clearance inspections post-abatement. Moreover, HUD has committed over $420 million in grants to remove lead hazards from homes and HUD-assisted properties, reinforcing the urgency of these measures.
At KPH, we’re committed to remaining at the forefront of these changes, keeping our teams informed, and ensuring our compliance with updated standards. As the industry continues to evolve, it’s vital that we stay ahead of regulatory changes to continue delivering the safe, high-quality work our valued clients expect. By proactively integrating these new requirements into our operations, we can continue to deliver exceptional, safe and reliable solutions for our clients while contributing to healthier communities.
