Free calculator Dust-lead clearance levels for 2026
The federal dust-lead action levels and hazard standard that apply from January 12, 2026, how composite samples are compared, and a calculator that tells you whether a wipe result passes.
Action levels from January 12, 2026
| Surface | Until Jan 11, 2026 | From Jan 12, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Floors | 10 µg/ft² | 5 µg/ft² |
| Interior window sills | 100 µg/ft² | 40 µg/ft² |
| Window troughs | 400 µg/ft² | 100 µg/ft² |
40 CFR 745.227(e)(8)(viii). Clearance results must be below these levels; a result equal to or above a level fails. The levels were called clearance levels until January 2025 and are now called action levels.
The dust-lead hazard standard
For risk assessments, any reportable level of lead on a floor or interior window sill wipe sample, analyzed by an NLLAP-recognized laboratory, is a dust-lead hazard from January 12, 2026 (40 CFR 745.65(b)). Each single or composite sample is judged on its own. A result the lab reports with a “less than” qualifier is below the reportable level. Window troughs have no hazard standard.
Composite samples
A composite holds 2 to 4 subsamples from one type of component, and every component being tested is included (40 CFR 745.227(g)). It is compared with the action level divided by half the number of subsamples (40 CFR 745.227(e)(8)(vii)). Results must be below:
| Sample | Floors | Sills | Troughs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single surface | 5 | 40 | 100 |
| Composite of 2 | 5 | 40 | 100 |
| Composite of 3 | 3.33 | 26.67 | 66.67 |
| Composite of 4 | 2.5 | 20 | 50 |
In µg/ft². The regulation gives no rounding rule; these limits are not rounded.
The clearance sampling, step by step
- Visual assessment first. No deteriorated paint and no visible dust, debris or residue; anything found is fixed before sampling (40 CFR 745.227(e)(8)(i)).
- Wait at least one hour after the final cleanup (745.227(e)(8)(iv)).
- Without containment: two samples in each of at least four rooms, hallways or stairwells, all of them if fewer: a floor, and an interior window sill or trough.
- With containment: a sill, a trough (if present) and a floor in each of at least four rooms inside the containment, plus one floor sample outside it (745.227(e)(8)(v)).
- Fail and repeat: the components a failed sample represents are recleaned and retested.
Clearance after abatement is done by a certified inspector or risk assessor. Soil sampling is not required for clearance.
Questions
What are the dust-lead clearance levels in 2026?
From January 12, 2026 the federal dust-lead action levels are 5 µg/ft² for floors, 40 µg/ft² for interior window sills and 100 µg/ft² for window troughs (40 CFR 745.227(e)(8)(viii)). Before that date they were 10, 100 and 400. Clearance results must be below them.
What is a dust-lead hazard now?
Since January 12, 2026, any reportable level of lead in a floor or interior window sill wipe sample, analyzed by an NLLAP-recognized laboratory, is a dust-lead hazard (40 CFR 745.65(b)). Each sample is judged on its own, without averaging. Window troughs have no hazard standard.
How is a composite dust sample compared?
A composite holds two to four subsamples from one type of component. It is compared with the action level divided by half the number of subsamples (40 CFR 745.227(e)(8)(vii)): a 3-subsample floor composite must be below 3.33 µg/ft², a 4-subsample one below 2.5.
What happens when a clearance sample fails?
A result equal to or above the limit fails. The components the failed sample represents are recleaned and retested, and the clearance continues in a new round until every result is below the limit.
How long after cleaning can clearance samples be taken?
At least one hour after the final cleanup (40 CFR 745.227(e)(8)(iv)), and only after the visual assessment finds no deteriorated paint and no visible dust, debris or residue.
What must an abatement report say when results pass but lead is still reported?
From January 12, 2026, when post-abatement results are below the action levels but at or above the reportable levels, the abatement report must include EPA's statement that some dust-lead hazards remain (40 CFR 745.227(e)(10)(vii)).
Our own summary of 40 CFR 745.65 and 745.227 as amended by EPA's 2024 dust-lead rule. State, tribal and local programs may set stricter rules; HUD-assisted housing follows HUD's Lead Safe Housing Rule.