Lead-based paint
XRF lead paint inspections for NYC and New Jersey
Non-destructive XRF testing by an EPA-certified Lead-Based Paint Risk Assessor. We report each painted component against the threshold that applies where your building stands.
What we do
Inspections that hold up to HPD and DCA review
- NYC Local Law 31 XRF inspectionsUnit-by-unit testing of every painted surface type, with results organized for your records and HPD requests.
- Dust wipe samplingFloor, window sill and window well wipes for NYC turnover and clearance, and for New Jersey lead-safe certification where the municipality requires them.
- Turnover and child-under-6 supportInspections that support Local Law 1 turnover work and annual obligations.
- New Jersey rental inspectionsVisual assessments or dust wipe sampling, as the municipality's method requires, for lead-safe certification.
- Risk assessmentsIdentification of lead hazards in deteriorated paint, dust and soil, with options for interim controls or abatement.
- Pre-renovation testingTesting before work so contractors know where EPA RRP lead-safe practices apply.
Requirements
The thresholds that decide your results
Lead-based paint definition
Timeline
The laws behind the inspections
- 2004NYC Local Law 1
Owners of pre-1960 multiple dwellings must find and fix lead paint hazards where a child under 6 lives, and at unit turnover.
- 2019NYC Local Law 66
Lowers the NYC definition of lead-based paint to 0.5 mg/cm², effective December 1, 2021.
- 2020NYC Local Law 31
XRF testing of every unit in covered buildings by an EPA-certified inspector or risk assessor independent of the owner. Deadline: August 9, 2025, or within one year when a child under 6 moves in.
- 2022NJ P.L.2021, c.182
Pre-1978 rentals must be inspected by July 22, 2024 or at tenant turnover, then every three years or at turnover.
- NYC covered buildings
- Multiple dwellings (3+ units) built before 1960, or built 1960–1978 where the owner knows lead paint is present.
- Who may test (NYC)
- An EPA-certified lead inspector or risk assessor who is independent of the building owner.
- Method
- XRF (X-ray fluorescence) readings on each component type in each room. No paint chips, no damage.
- NJ covered dwellings
- Single-family, two-family and multiple rental dwellings built before 1978, with limited exemptions.
- NJ inspection method
- Visual assessment in most municipalities; dust wipe sampling where 3% or more of tested children under 6 had blood lead of 5 µg/dL or higher.
- NJ certificate
- A passing inspection yields a lead-safe certificate valid for two years.
Dust wipe sampling
Lead dust requirements in NYC and New Jersey
Lead dust is the most common way children are exposed to lead paint. Wipe samples from floors, window sills and window wells are analyzed by an accredited laboratory and compared with the level that applies where the property is located.
Floors
Window sills
Dust standards timeline
- Jan 2021New Jersey · N.J.A.C. 5:17
Dust-lead hazard and clearance levels lowered to 10 µg/ft² (floors), 100 (sills) and 400 (window wells), from 40 / 250 / 400.
- Jun 2021New York City · Local Law 66 of 2019
Dust-lead levels reach 5 µg/ft² (floors), 40 (sills) and 100 (window wells), after an interim step of 10 / 50 / 100.
- Jul 2022New Jersey · P.L.2021, c.182
Rental lead law takes effect. Dust wipe sampling is required in municipalities where 3% or more of tested children under 6 had elevated blood lead.
- Jan 2026Federal · EPA 2024 rule
Compliance date for EPA's revised standards: any reportable dust-lead level is a hazard, and post-abatement clearance is 5 / 40 / 100 µg/ft².
- Sep 2026New York City · Board of Health
Amendment to Article 173 adopted, lowering NYC levels to 4 µg/ft² (floors), 32 (sills) and 80 (window wells). Confirm the effective date before relying on it.
When dust wipes are required in NYC
- Unit turnover
- In covered pre-1960 units, after turnover work and before a new tenant moves in, dust clearance testing must be done by a third party independent of the owner.
- After lead work
- Clearance dust testing is required after lead hazard work, including work ordered by HPD or DOHMH, before the area is reoccupied.
- Surfaces
- Floors, window sills and window wells.
- Laboratory
- Samples must be analyzed by a lab accredited under NYS ELAP and EPA NLLAP. Results go to the occupant.
When dust wipes are required in New Jersey
- Lead-safe inspections
- Required instead of a visual assessment in municipalities where 3% or more of tested children under 6 had blood lead of 5 µg/dL or higher.
- Clearance
- Required after lead abatement and interim controls before the unit can be certified lead-safe.
- Levels
- Floors below 10 µg/ft², interior window sills below 100 µg/ft², window wells below 400 µg/ft² (N.J.A.C. 5:17).
- Method
- Wipes collected following HUD Guidelines and analyzed by a certified laboratory.
Process
How an XRF inspection runs
Schedule access
We coordinate unit access with your super or managing agent and confirm the calibration-check protocol.
XRF testing
Readings on every testing combination: each component and substrate in each room equivalent.
Classification
Each reading is classified against the NYC 0.5 or federal and NJ 1.0 mg/cm² threshold.
Report
Unit-by-unit results with positive components listed, ready for your records and agency requests.
FAQ
Common questions
Are dust wipes the same as an XRF inspection?
No. XRF measures lead in the paint itself. Dust wipes measure lead dust on floors, sills and window wells, where children are most likely to be exposed. NYC turnover clearance and many New Jersey inspections require dust wipes even when paint is intact.
What happens if a unit tests negative everywhere?
If no lead-based paint is found, the results can support an application to HPD for an exemption for that unit. Keep the full report with your records.
Why XRF instead of paint chip samples?
XRF is non-destructive, gives results on site, and covers many more surfaces in a visit than lab paint chip analysis.
Next step
Need XRF testing across a building?
Send the address, number of units and year built. We will quote per unit and schedule around tenant access.