Lead-Based Paint Prevention Services for All of Maryland and Washington DC Suburbs

On July 1, 2020, the new Maryland dust-lead level standards will go into effect. The table below shows the upcoming changes.

Maryland Department of the Environment — Edgewood, MD — GEO Environmental Services

Definition of Lead-Contaminated Dust

Area tested Current standards New standards (effective July 1, 2020)
Floor ≥ 40 µg/ft2 ≥ 10 µg/ft2
Windowsill ≥ 250 µg/ft2 ≥ 100 µg/ft2
Window Well ≥ 40 µg/ft2 ≥ 100 µg/ft2

The new standards apply to ALL dust wipes collected in Maryland. Whether the dust wipes will be used to issue a risk reduction certificate, for post-abatement clearance testing, or perform a risk assessment, ALL wipes collected on or after July 1, 2020, must meet the new standards.

Schedule the Appointment - 410-826-5978

We are available at your convenience, including evenings and weekends. The Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) requires 24-hour notice before we can perform the lead inspection. The Maryland Lead Risk Reduction in Housing Law (“Law”) requires inspections to be conducted at various times. If you have a rental dwelling unit constructed prior to 1978, it must meet any applicable inspection standards.

What is involved in the Maryland Lead Inspection

Full Risk Reduction

Inspection is generally conducted in a vacant unit prior to occupancy by a new tenant. Also, sometimes rental units will be occupied with tenants.

  • The Full Risk Reduction standard is met by passing the Visual Inspection to ensure that the paint is intact and shows no signs of failing. There can be NO signs of chipping, peeling, or flaking paint. It has been removed or repainted on the interior and exterior of the rental dwelling unit. This includes any outbuildings such as garages or sheds.
  • After verifying paint condition meets the standard, we must collect dust samples from each room
  • Properties with replacement windows require ONE sample per room from floor or windowsill.
  • Properties with non-replacement windows (windows with painted surfaces) require TWO samples per room. One from a windowsill, well and or floor.
  • Rooms without windows require ONE sample from the floor.
  • Each dust sample must be analyzed by a qualified laboratory, and the results must fall below specified levels.
  • The MDE Lead Certificate (330 Certificate) will be issued once the lab results show that all samples taken meet the required standards. The Certificate will be issued to the property owner. The Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) also receives a copy of it. If you rent, a copy is also provided for the tenants.

In general, testing for lead-contaminated dust is most likely to succeed in a clean, well-maintained property. A qualified laboratory must analyze each dust sample, and the results must fall below specified levels. The MDE Lead Certificate (330 Certificate) will be issued once the lab results show that all samples taken meet the required standards. The Certificate will be issued to the property owner. The Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) also receives a copy of it. If you rent, a copy is also provided for the tenants. In general, testing for lead-contaminated dust is most likely to succeed in a clean, well-maintained property.

Full Risk Reduction

Inspection is generally conducted in a vacant unit prior to occupancy by a new tenant. Also sometimes rental units will be occupied with tenants.

  • The Full Risk Reduction standard is met by passing the Visual Inspection to ensure that the paint is intact and shows no signs of failing. There can be NO signs of chipping, peeling, or flaking paint. It has been removed or repainted on the interior and exterior of the rental dwelling unit. This includes any outbuildings such as garages or shed.
  • After verifying paint condition meets the standard, we must collect dust samples from each room
  • Properties with replacement windows require ONE sample per room from floor or windowsill.
  • Properties with non-replacement windows (windows with painted surfaces) require TWO samples per room. One from a windowsill, well and or floor.
  • Rooms without windows require ONE sample from the floor.
  • Each dust sample must be analyzed by a qualified laboratory, and the results must fall below specified levels.
  • The MDE Lead Certificate (330 Certificate) will be issued once the lab results show that all samples taken meet the required standards. The Certificate will be issued to the property owner and MDE also receives a copy of it, and if you rent a copy is also provided for the tenants.

In general, testing for lead contaminated dust is most likely to be successful in a clean, well maintained property. Each dust sample must be analyzed by a qualified laboratory, and the results must fall below specified levels. The MDE Lead Certificate (330 Certificate) will be issued once the lab results show that all samples taken meet the required standards. The Certificate will be issued to the property owner and MDE also receives a copy of it, and if you rent a copy is also provided for the tenants. In general, testing for lead contaminated dust is most likely to be successful in a clean, well maintained property.

Modified Risk Reduction

Inspection is generally conducted in an occupied rental dwelling unit in response to either (a) a notice of defective paint or related conditions which may increase the risk of lead exposure or (b) a notice that a child or a pregnant woman in the unit has a lead level of 10 micrograms or higher per deciliter of blood.

  • Within 30 days after the receipt or a Notice of Elevated Blood Lead Level or Notice of Defect, The Modified Risk Reduction standard is met when the Owner provides for the temporary relocation of tenants to a lead-free dwelling unit or another dwelling unit that has to meet a risk reduction standard or by passing the test for lead-contaminated dust and performing specific lead hazard reduction treatments.
  • The lead hazard treatments must be performed and by an accredited contractor or supervisor.

Lead Free And Limited Lead Free

A rental dwelling unit that has been certified to be free of lead paint using the XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) gun and shoot different components throughout the house. The readings have to be below 0.7mg/cm2 or paint chip samples below 0.5% by weight) can be exempted from annual registration fees and further risk reduction requirements. (Protocols standard we need to follow, HUD Chapter 7).

  • Lead Free – Lead-free means you are lead-free on the interior, exterior, and common areas. If you have a lead-free certificate, you are done forever. To perform a Lead-Free inspection, we take the XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) gun and ‘shoot’ different components throughout the house. (there is a protocol that we need to follow, HUD Chapter 7).
  • Limited Lead Free - This means you are lead-free on the interior of the unit/property, but there is lead on its exterior or (common area if it's a multi-unit building). There can't be any defective paint on the exterior or common areas. If you Limited Lead-Free Certificate, you're done forever on the interior, BUT must be re-inspected every two years on or before the original certification date. If the re-inspection does not occur in a timely manner, the original certificate is no longer considered valid.
  • When the owner submits a lead-free certification to the Department, they are required to also submit a Lead-Free Inspection Fee Payment with the appropriate processing fee. The processing fee is $10 per unit for every unit represented by the certificate.

Lead Free And Limited Lead Free

A rental dwelling unit which has been certified to be free of lead paint using the XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) gun and shoot different components throughout the house. The readings have to be below 0.7mg/cm2 or paint chip samples below 0.5% by weight) can be exempted from annual registration fees and from further risk reduction requirements. (Protocols standard we need to follow, HUD Chapter 7)

  • Lead Free – Lead free means you are lead free on the interior, exterior and common areas. If you have a lead free certificate, you are done forever. To perform a Lead Free inspection, we take the XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) gun and ‘shoot’ different components throughout the house. (there is a protocol that we need to follow, HUD Chapter 7)
  • Limited Lead Free - Means you are lead free on the interior of unit/property BUT there is lead on the exterior of the property and/or (common area if it’s multi-unit building). There can’t be any defective paint on exterior or common areas. If you Limited Lead Free Certificate your done forever on the interior, BUT must be re-inspected every two years on or before the date of the original certification. If the re- inspection does not occur in a timely manner the original certificate is no longer considered valid.
  • When the owner submits a lead free certification to the Department, they are required to also submit a Lead Free Inspection Fee Payment with the appropriate processing fee. The processing fee is $10 per unit for every unit represented by the certificate.

Be prepared for the lead inspection:

These simple steps will save you time and money:

  • Make sure that no painted surfaces are chipping or flaking. Painted surfaces should all be intact.
  • Remove all construction-related debris from the site.
  • Ensure that the area 24”- 48” surrounding the foundation is clear of paint chips.
  • Thoroughly vacuum the interior of each assisted rental unit, ideally with a HEPA (see below) vacuum.
  • After vacuuming, clean all surfaces in the unit with standard household detergent, e.g., Palmolive or Simple Green. Change the wash water frequently to reduce the chance of cross-contamination.
  • Pay special attention to windowsills, door casings, and flooring.
  • After wet cleaning, vacuum the entire area again using a HEPA or high quality vacuum cleaner.
  • Visually inspect the unit and the soil outside the unit to ensure that all areas are free of debris and dust.

To learn more about how lead is harmful in your home and business, but also how to prevent it, call us today at 410-826-5978 in Maryland.