Local Law 1 Dust Wipe Testing
Post-Renovation Clearance

Laboratory-grade dust wipe sampling for Local Law 1 compliance. NYS ELAP-certified labs, 3-5 day turnaround. Pass/fail clearance determination.

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Why Dust Wipe Testing for Local Law 1?

Visual inspection (required by Local Law 1) only identifies visible peeling paint. Dust wipe testing detects lead dust from friction surfaces (windows, doors) that create invisible hazards for children.

When to Use Dust Wipe Testing

  • Annual inspections for units with children under 6 (proactive)
  • After minor repairs or painting (detect dust from work)
  • High-risk areas: window sills, door frames, floors near windows
  • Tenant concerns about lead dust exposure

Our Dust Wipe Testing Process

Our EPA-certified inspectors follow a systematic sampling protocol that meets or exceeds all Local Law 1 requirements. We collect samples from the highest-risk surfaces in each unit — window sills, window troughs, door frames, and floors near friction points — using ASTM E1728-compliant wipes sent to a NYS ELAP-certified laboratory for analysis. Each sample location is documented with photographs and a floor plan diagram for your records.

Lead dust is particularly dangerous because it is invisible to the naked eye and can accumulate on surfaces long after the original paint disturbance. Children under six are especially vulnerable, as hand-to-mouth behavior leads to ingestion of dust particles. Our laboratory analysis detects lead dust at levels well below the EPA hazard standard of 40 µg/ft² for floors, giving you a complete picture of dust safety in your building.

What's Included in Your Dust Wipe Report

  • Detailed floor plan with all sample locations marked
  • Laboratory results for each individual sample (in µg/ft²)
  • Pass/fail determination against EPA and HUD clearance standards
  • Professional recommendations for remediation if any samples fail
  • Certified documentation for HPD or DOHMH compliance files
  • Digital report delivered within 3-5 business days

Laboratory Analysis & Clearance Thresholds

Every dust wipe sample we collect is analyzed at a NYS ELAP-certified laboratory using EPA Method 7000B (flame atomic absorption spectrometry) or EPA Method 7105 (graphite furnace atomic absorption). These methods detect lead at concentrations well below the EPA hazard standards, ensuring accurate results even at trace levels. For floors, the EPA clearance threshold is 40 µg/ft²; for window sills, 250 µg/ft²; and for window troughs, 400 µg/ft². Any sample exceeding these limits constitutes a failure and requires professional remediation followed by re-testing.

Our sampling methodology follows ASTM E1728-16 standard practice for collection of settled dust samples using wipe sampling techniques. Each sample covers a precisely measured area (typically 1 ft² for floors and sills) using ghost wipes moistened with deionized water. Field blanks and duplicate samples are included with every sampling event to ensure quality control and data integrity. This rigorous protocol means your results are legally defensible and accepted by HPD, DOHMH, and housing courts without question.

EPA Dust Lead Clearance Levels

  • Floors: ≤ 40 µg/ft² — HUD/EPA clearance standard
  • Window sills: ≤ 250 µg/ft²
  • Window troughs: ≤ 400 µg/ft²
  • Results below threshold = clearance issued
  • Results above threshold = remediation required, then re-test

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Official Sources and Review Status

Last reviewed: July 11, 2026. Rapid Lead Testing explains inspection and compliance workflows; official requirements and enforcement details are controlled by the government sources below.

This page is informational and is not legal advice. Verify project-specific obligations with NYC HPD, the EPA, HUD, or qualified legal counsel.

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