Lead Clearance Testing: EPA Standards & Inspection Process

A property manager in Brooklyn received a call from her contractor at 4 p.m. on a Friday: the lead abatement work was finished, and the unit was "ready to go." She had a new tenant scheduled to move in Monday morning. But when she asked for the clearance report, the contractor went silent. Without certified lead clearance testing, that apartment couldn't legally be occupied—and the landlord faced potential fines up to $10,000 under NYC's Local Law 1. According to the NYC Department of Health, nearly 40% of lead-related violations stem from incomplete or missing clearance documentation, turning what should be a routine final step into a compliance crisis.

Lead clearance testing is the legally mandated verification that confirms a property is safe for occupancy after lead abatement, renovation, or repair work. Whether you're a landlord preparing a pre-1978 rental unit, a contractor wrapping up an RRP project, or a property owner responding to an elevated blood lead level, clearance testing isn't optional—it's the difference between regulatory approval and costly re-work. This guide walks through EPA standards, dust wipe sampling protocols, pass/fail thresholds, and what to expect when you hire a certified inspector in New York State.

 

 

What Is Lead Clearance Testing and When Is It Required?

Lead clearance testing is a post-abatement inspection where a certified professional collects dust wipe samples from specific surfaces (floors, window sills, window troughs) and submits them to an EPA-recognized laboratory. The lab measures lead concentration in micrograms per square foot (µg/ft²), then compares results against federal and state safety thresholds. If levels fall below the limits, the property passes clearance and can be re-occupied. If levels exceed thresholds, the space must be re-cleaned and re-tested before anyone moves in.

Clearance testing serves one purpose: to verify that abatement or renovation work didn't leave behind dangerous lead dust. Lead-based paint disturbed during construction, demolition, or removal can generate fine particles that settle on floors and windowsills, where children and adults contact them daily. Even "clean-looking" surfaces can harbor lead concentrations high enough to cause poisoning, which is why visual inspection alone never satisfies clearance requirements.

 

 

Lead Clearance vs. Risk Assessment: Key Differences

Confusion often arises between clearance testing, risk assessments, and lead inspections—three distinct services with different triggers and goals. A lead inspection identifies whether lead-based paint is present and where it's located, typically required before abatement or during property transactions. A risk assessment evaluates lead hazards (deteriorated paint, dust, soil) and recommends control measures, often performed pre-renovation or pre-purchase. Clearance testing, by contrast, occurs only after abatement or RRP work is complete, verifying that the work area meets safety standards for re-occupancy.

You cannot substitute a risk assessment for clearance testing. Risk assessments may include dust sampling, but they use different protocols, sampling locations, and pass/fail criteria. Clearance testing follows strict EPA dust wipe procedures outlined in 40 CFR Part 745, Subpart L, and must be performed by an independent certified inspector—never the same contractor who did the abatement work.

 

 

NYC and NYS Legal Triggers for Clearance Testing

In New York State, clearance testing is required after:

  • Any lead abatement project (paint removal, enclosure, encapsulation, or component replacement)

  • EPA RRP work in pre-1978 housing, child-occupied facilities, or buildings where a child with elevated blood lead levels resides

  • Lead hazard control work ordered by a health department following a childhood lead poisoning case

  • Violation repairs under NYC Local Law 1 or the NYS Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act
     

NYC landlords face additional scrutiny. Under Local Law 1, owners of residential buildings constructed before 1960 (or 1978, if a child under age 6 resides there) must conduct annual visual inspections and promptly address lead hazards. If repairs disturb lead paint, clearance testing is mandatory before the unit can be re-rented. The NYC Department of Health can issue violations, fines, and even criminal penalties for skipping clearance or using unlicensed inspectors. Learn more at NYC Lead Poisoning Prevention.

 

 

EPA Lead Clearance Standards and Acceptable Dust Levels

The EPA established federal dust-lead hazard standards in 2001 and updated them in 2019 to reflect evolving public health data. These standards apply nationwide, though states can adopt stricter limits.

Federal Clearance Thresholds (40 CFR 745.227)

As of 2025, EPA clearance standards for residential properties and child-occupied facilities are:

  • Floors: ≤10 µg/ft²

  • Window sills: ≤100 µg/ft²

  • Window troughs: ≤100 µg/ft²
     

Any dust wipe sample exceeding these levels triggers a failed clearance. The property must be re-cleaned using HEPA-filtered vacuums and wet methods, then re-tested. Only after passing clearance can tenants, workers, or residents safely re-enter the space.

These thresholds are based on blood lead level studies showing that even low-level exposure can harm cognitive development in children and cause hypertension, kidney damage, and reproductive issues in adults. See EPA Lead RRP Program for detailed technical standards.

 

 

New York State Variations and Stricter Local Laws

New York State generally adopts EPA standards, but the NYS Department of Health enforces additional documentation and inspector certification requirements. All clearance testing must be performed by a NYS DOH–certified Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor or a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH). The inspector must use an EPA-recognized NLLAP lab for dust analysis, and results must be submitted to the local health department when addressing a child lead poisoning case.

NYC's Local Law 1 adds procedural layers: landlords must maintain clearance records for at least 10 years, provide copies to tenants upon request, and file annual certifications with the city. Failure to document clearance can result in violations even if the property is objectively safe. Learn more at the NYS Department of Health Lead Information.

 

 

The Lead Dust Wipe Sampling Process: Step-by-Step

Clearance testing follows a precise protocol to ensure accurate, reproducible results. Inspectors collect samples using pre-moistened wipes, sterile templates, and chain-of-custody forms that track every sample from field collection to lab analysis.

Where Samples Are Collected

EPA protocols require dust wipe samples from floors, interior window sills, and window troughs within the work area. The inspector uses a one-square-foot template for floors and wipes the entire surface of sills and troughs (if present). A typical room includes:

  • One floor sample

  • One window sill sample

  • One window trough sample (if applicable)
     

Multi-room projects require separate samples for each space. A visual inspection is also performed before sampling to check for visible dust, debris, or paint chips. If deficiencies are found, re-cleaning must occur before samples are taken.

Who Can Legally Perform Clearance Testing in New York

Only NYS DOH–certified Lead Inspectors/Risk Assessors or Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIH) can perform clearance testing. Inspectors must be independent—unaffiliated with the abatement contractor—to avoid conflicts of interest. If a contractor offers “free clearance testing,” it’s illegal in New York and invalidates the clearance process.

UNYSE employs certified industrial hygienists and NYS DOH–certified inspectors who provide independent clearance testing across New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. Visit unyse.net for same-day scheduling and 24-hour rush reporting.

 

 

How Long Does Lead Clearance Testing Take?

Timelines depend on inspector availability, lab turnaround, and pass/fail results.

Lab Turnaround Times and Rush Options

Labs typically return results within 2–5 business days. For urgent projects, many offer 24-hour rush service for $100–$200 extra. UNYSE provides expedited analysis and delivers reports within one business day when rush processing is requested.

What Happens If Your Property Fails Clearance

If any sample exceeds EPA thresholds, the property fails clearance. It must be re-cleaned and re-tested before occupancy or permit closure.

Re-cleaning steps include:

  1. HEPA vacuuming all surfaces

  2. Wet wiping with detergent

  3. Re-inspection and re-sampling
     

Always confirm in writing whether your contractor covers re-cleaning if clearance fails. See HUD Lead Guidelines for best practices.

 

 

Lead Clearance Testing Costs in NYC and Surrounding Areas

Residential clearance testing typically ranges from $350–$600 per unit depending on the number of samples, property size, and lab speed.

Typical cost breakdown:

  • Dust wipe samples: $50–$75 each

  • Lab fees: $30–$50 (standard) or $60–$90 (rush)

  • Inspector field fee: $150–$250 base

  • Rush reporting: +$100–$200
     

Multi-unit properties often qualify for discounts. Get a quote at unyse.net or call (888) 436-8338.

 

 

Common Lead Clearance Testing Failures and How to Avoid Them

Contractor Mistakes

  • Using non-HEPA vacuums

  • Dry sweeping

  • Missing window troughs or baseboards

  • Poor containment during abatement

  • Re-contamination from work zones
     

Documentation Errors

NYC landlords must provide tenants with:

  • The clearance report

  • Inspector’s certification number

  • Lab chain-of-custody forms

  • A signed clearance certificate
     

UNYSE provides complete reports formatted for DOH submission and tenant disclosure. Schedule your inspection at unyse.net.

 

 

How UNYSE Delivers Fast, Certified Lead Clearance Testing Across NY

Since 1991, UNYSE has provided environmental testing and compliance services statewide. Our certified team offers 24-hour reporting, flexible scheduling, and full EPA/NYS documentation compliance.

Certified Industrial Hygienists & DOH Compliance

All inspections follow OSHA and EPA protocols using NLLAP-accredited labs. If your clearance fails, UNYSE coordinates re-cleaning, re-testing, and expedited lab analysis to keep your project compliant.

 

 

Protect Your Property and Tenants with Professional Clearance Testing

Lead clearance testing is the final, non-negotiable step between “done” and “compliant.” Skipping it risks fines, rework, and legal exposure.

UNYSE’s certified inspectors bring decades of field experience and deliver accurate reports fast—often within 24 hours.

Call (888) 436-8338 or visit unyse.net to schedule your clearance inspection today.