Cal. Civ. Code § 460.170
Lead Dust Monitoring
Operative Text
(A) Lead inspectors and code enforcement lead determination inspectors shall take dust samples in
accordance with a lead dust monitoring protocol issued by the Director. Dust lead levels must be
measured by a laboratory with appropriate National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program
(NLLAP) certification or which at minimum participates in the appropriate Environmental Lead
Proficiency Analytical Testing (ELPAT) program.
(B) The lead dust monitoring protocol shall be deemed to have been satisfied if:
(1) Floor lead dust levels are below 40 micrograms per square foot (mg/ft2).
(2) Windowsill lead dust levels are below 250 micrograms per square foot.
(3) Exterior windowsill/window well lead dust levels are below 400 micrograms per square foot.
(C) If, after deleading and three cleanings, dust levels exceed the standards of 105 CMR 460.170(B),
the Director may require the owner to hire a licensed deleader to perform a final clean-up in
accordance with 105 CMR 460.160(D)(1), if a licensed deleader was not responsible for the final
clean-up.
(D) The Director may require the owner to have an authorized person seal the floors and/or other
surfaces with a sealant, as specified in the lead dust monitoring protocol, if dust lead levels exceed the
standards of 105 CMR 460.170(B).Section 460.170 of the Massachusetts lead regulations establishes the process and thresholds for measuring lead dust in residential settings. Certified inspectors must collect dust samples following a Director-approved protocol, and those samples must be analyzed by a laboratory holding National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP) certification or participating in the ELPAT program. The rule sets specific micrograms-per-square-foot limits for floors, windowsills, and exterior windowsills/window wells, and if those limits are still exceeded after deleading and three cleanings, the Director has authority to require additional remediation steps, including hiring a licensed deleader or sealing affected surfaces.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 105 CMR 460.170, property owners are expected to ensure that any deleading work results in dust lead levels that fall below the thresholds set for floors, windowsills, and exterior windowsills/window wells. Compliant operators typically confirm that inspectors use Director-approved sampling protocols and that laboratory analysis is performed by an NLLAP-certified or ELPAT-participating facility. If dust levels remain above the 460.170(B) standards after deleading and three cleanings, the Director may direct the owner to engage a licensed deleader for final cleanup or to have surfaces sealed with an approved sealant.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 460.170 establishes enforceable lead dust thresholds that apply after deleading work is completed in a residence, providing a measurable standard that protects occupants, particularly children. Tenants in units where deleading has occurred have a general interest in confirming that dust sampling was conducted by a qualified inspector using an accredited laboratory, as required by this provision. Those with concerns about whether lead dust levels in their home meet the 460.170(B) standards may consider contacting the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, a local board of health, or a tenant-rights organization to understand available complaint and inspection pathways.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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