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/m2) 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.