Image Credit: NYC HPD

The reduction is expected to lead to an increase of surfaces found with lead and an increase in violations issued. On December 30, 2021, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) announced a change in the standard defining what paint counts as “lead-based,” creating the strictest standard in the nation. The new definition amends the concentration of lead found in paint allowed from 1.0 milligrams of lead per square centimeter of paint or similar surface coating to only 0.5 milligrams, cutting the allowable amounts of lead found in paint in half. The change has been in effect as of December 1, 2021.  (more…)