Lead-Safe Wisconsin: Dust Lead Hazard Standards and Clearance Levels

In July 2021, Wisconsin’s dust lead hazard standards and clearance levels grew stricter.

The new values match those already adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Because Wisconsin’s values now match the federal ones, you don’t need to reference different sets of standards.

Different cities and towns in Wisconsin may have their own standards. Always follow the strictest standards.

Dust lead hazard standards

Dust lead hazard standards are used to identify dust lead hazards in a lead risk assessment. They can also be used to identify dust lead hazards in a lead hazard screen, although it’s less common. The updated values are safer because they identify hazards at lower levels of lead.

A dust lead hazard is present when the average of lab results is equal to or greater than (>) the value shown for that type of surface.

Dust lead clearance levels

Dust lead clearance levels are used to evaluate dust wipe samples taken during a post-abatement (or post-renovation) clearance examination. These tests are conducted to make sure the house has been properly cleaned and is safe to live in. The updated values are safer because they allow for less lead dust to be left behind after a renovation or abatement project.

Dust lead levels are considered cleared when the lab results for each dust wipe sample shows an amount of lead that’s less than (<) the value shown for that type of surface.

Floor: < 10 µg/ft² (previously 40 µg/ft²)

Sill: < 100 µg/ft² (previously 250 µg/ft²)

Trough: < 100 µg/ft² (previously 400 µg/ft²)

Porch floor*: < 40 µg/ft² (no previous standard)

* “Porch” refers to an unenclosed outdoor structure at or near grade, attached or adjacent to the outside wall of a building, with a roof and a floor.