THE LONGER-TERM EFFECTIVENESS OF RESIDENTIAL LEAD PAINT ABATEMENT

Residential lead-based paint and settled dust are important sources of lead exposure in U.S. children. Scant information exists on the long-term effectiveness of alternative lead abatement practices. In this extended (1.5-3.5 years) follow-up study of comprehensive abatement, 179 wipe dust samples were collected in 13 occupied dwellings for which pre-and immediately postabatement (clearance) dust lead data were available. Dust lead loadings (mg/m(2)) 1.5 to 3.5 years postabatement were 16, 10, and 4% of preabatement levels for floors, window sills, and window wells, respectively. Furthermore, 78% of readings remained within Maryland's interim clearance standards, indicating that sustained reductions of dust lead hazards were achieved in comprehensively abated dwellings located in older unabated housing areas. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.