Why Long Island Has Significant Lead Paint Risk

Communities Served

Nassau & Suffolk Counties

45%

Nassau Average Pre-War Housing

Hempstead up to 50%

35%

Suffolk Average Pre-War Housing

Amityville up to 45%

Long Island's Lead Paint Landscape

Unlike New York City, Long Island does not have a local lead paint law equivalent to Local Law 31. However, federal EPA regulations and New York State requirements still apply. The EPA's RRP Rule requires certified contractors on pre-1978 renovations, and the NY State Property Condition Disclosure Act requires sellers to disclose known lead paint. Long Island homeowners, landlords, and contractors must understand these obligations — and a professional lead inspection is the foundation of compliance.

Lead Testing on Long Island: What Property Owners Need to Know

Long Island is home to nearly 3 million people spread across Nassau and Suffolk Counties, encompassing historic villages, postwar suburbs, waterfront communities, and world-famous resort towns. Beneath this diversity lies a shared challenge: a housing stock that spans more than a century of residential construction, with a significant proportion of homes built before lead paint was banned in 1978.

The Lead Paint Era on Long Island

Lead-based paint was the dominant residential paint product from the late 19th century through 1977. In Nassau County's older villages—Hempstead, Freeport, Garden City, Great Neck—homes built in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s represent a substantial share of the housing stock. In Suffolk County, communities like Huntington, Northport, Babylon, and Amityville developed their historic neighborhoods during the same period, leaving behind a legacy of lead paint that requires careful management.

Even the famous Levittown development—built between 1947 and 1951 as one of America's first planned suburban communities—used lead paint in its original construction. With approximately 90% of Levittown's housing dating to this era, it represents one of the most concentrated lead paint environments on Long Island.

Federal and State Lead Paint Law on Long Island

Long Island property owners are governed by federal and state regulations rather than the NYC-specific laws that apply in the five boroughs:

EPA RRP Rule (40 CFR Part 745): Any contractor performing renovation, repair, or painting work that disturbs lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes where children under 6 or pregnant women are present must be EPA-certified and follow lead-safe work practices. Violations carry fines up to $37,500 per day per violation.
NY State Property Condition Disclosure Act: Sellers of residential real property must disclose known material defects including the presence of lead-based paint. Buyers are entitled to negotiate a lead inspection contingency. Sellers who knowingly conceal lead hazards face civil liability.
HUD Guidelines: Properties receiving certain federal subsidies must comply with HUD lead paint regulations, which may require risk assessments and hazard control in pre-1978 buildings.
Suffolk County Lead Poisoning Prevention: Suffolk County Department of Health Services runs lead poisoning prevention programs and may require lead assessments in certain circumstances involving children with elevated blood lead levels.

Who Needs Lead Testing on Long Island?

Homebuyers: Any pre-1978 home purchase should include a lead paint inspection as a contingency. Lead hazards are material defects that affect property value and require disclosure.
Landlords: Landlords of older rental properties have an ethical and legal obligation to protect tenants—particularly families with young children—from lead hazards.
Homeowners renovating: Before any renovation, remodeling, or painting project on a pre-1978 home, homeowners should know whether lead paint is present so contractors can comply with EPA RRP requirements.
Home sellers: Proactive lead testing before listing a home provides documentation for disclosure requirements and can prevent surprises during buyer inspections.
Contractors: EPA-certified renovation contractors need lead paint information to plan safe work practices and document compliance.

Our Long Island Lead Testing Services

Complete lead safety solutions for Long Island homeowners, landlords, contractors, and property managers.

XRF Lead Testing

Fast, non-destructive onsite testing using the SciAps X-550 Pb—the industry's most advanced X-Ray Fluorescence technology.

No Inconclusive Results

EPA RRP Rule Compliance

Definitive Results in Seconds

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Dust Wipe Testing

Laboratory-grade sampling to ensure your property is safe from invisible lead dust hazards.

Post-Remediation Clearance

Pre-Occupancy Testing

NYS ELAP Certified Labs

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Violation Clearance

Expert assistance in clearing lead paint violations and providing compliance documentation.

Clearance Inspections

Written Reports & Documentation

Expert Consultation

Clear Violations

Long Island Lead Testing
All 22 Communities Covered

Why Long Island Has Significant Lead Paint Risk

Long Island's Lead Paint Landscape

Lead Testing on Long Island: What Property Owners Need to Know

The Lead Paint Era on Long Island

Federal and State Lead Paint Law on Long Island

Who Needs Lead Testing on Long Island?

Nassau County Communities

Hempstead

Freeport

Long Beach

Garden City

Great Neck

Mineola

Rockville Centre

Valley Stream

Floral Park

Port Washington

Levittown

Manhasset

Suffolk County Communities

Huntington

Babylon

Bay Shore

Patchogue

Smithtown

Northport

Islip

Amityville

Riverhead

Southampton

Our Long Island Lead Testing Services

XRF Lead Testing

Dust Wipe Testing

Violation Clearance

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