āāDefinition of "Lead-Contaminated Dust" - UPDATED
The California Department of Public Health has updated the definition of āLead-Contaminated Dustā in the California Code of Regulations (CCR). The new definition found at Title 17 of the CCR Section 35035 lowers the standard for interior floor surfaces from 40 micrograms (Āµg) of lead in dust per square foot (ft2) to 10 Āµg/ft2, and for interior horizontal surfaces from 250 Āµg/ft2 to 100 Āµg/ft2. The standard for exterior floor and exterior horizontal surfaces remains 400 Āµg/ft2. The new standard went into effect on February 2, 2022.
Rationale
CDPH adopted the new definition in order to be consistent with standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to reduce the threat of childhood lead poisoning, and to maintain a federally authorized lead-based paint activities program. Additional details about the change in definition are found on pages 66-70 (1600-1604) of the
Notice Register (PDF) issue that initially announced the proposal for a change in November 2021.