republic-os/legal/us/code/title-15/chapter-53/section-2681.md

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LegalText	15 U.S.C. § 2681	Definitions	us	united_states_code	code_section	15	COMMERCE AND TRADE	53	TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL	2681	15 U.S.C. § 2681	current	119-100	2026-06-26	official	https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc15@119-100.zip	/us/usc/t15/s2681	data/legal/raw/us/code/title-15/usc15.xml	679ac557ab930405d99ed1d8ef96060ed78dc017735204f75e2265594bb2691e	6982338d990ef19d6b52bff6825089bdd6d0ee1233d9382673faf533decd5059	82fb9f62bf2cc6814da0539078fc46931268ed81d65968b906e4c5dd434ad2dc	2026-07-04	official	legal us-code

15 U.S.C. § 2681 - Definitions

Text

For the purposes of this subchapter:

(1) Abatement The term “abatement” means any set of measures designed to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards in accordance with standards established by the Administrator under this subchapter. Such term includes—

(A) the removal of lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust, the permanent containment or encapsulation of lead-based paint, the replacement of lead-painted surfaces or fixtures, and the removal or covering of lead-contaminated soil; and

(B) all preparation, cleanup, disposal, and postabatement clearance testing activities associated with such measures.

(2) Accessible surface The term “accessible surface” means an interior or exterior surface painted with lead-based paint that is accessible for a young child to mouth or chew.

(3) Deteriorated paint The term “deteriorated paint” means any interior or exterior paint that is peeling, chipping, chalking or cracking or any paint located on an interior or exterior surface or fixture that is damaged or deteriorated.

(4) Evaluation The term “evaluation” means risk assessment, inspection, or risk assessment and inspection.

(5) Friction surface The term “friction surface” means an interior or exterior surface that is subject to abrasion or friction, including certain window, floor, and stair surfaces.

(6) Impact surface The term “impact surface” means an interior or exterior surface that is subject to damage by repeated impacts, for example, certain parts of door frames.

(7) Inspection The term “inspection” means (A) a surface-by-surface investigation to determine the presence of lead-based paint, as provided in section 4822(c) of title 42, and (B) the provision of a report explaining the results of the investigation.

(8) Interim controls The term “interim controls” means a set of measures designed to reduce temporarily human exposure or likely exposure to lead-based paint hazards, including specialized cleaning, repairs, maintenance, painting, temporary containment, ongoing monitoring of lead-based paint hazards or potential hazards, and the establishment and operation of management and resident education programs.

(9) Lead-based paint The term “lead-based paint” means paint or other surface coatings that contain lead in excess of 1.0 milligrams per centimeter squared or 0.5 percent by weight or (A) in the case of paint or other surface coatings on target housing, such lower level as may be established by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, as defined in section 4822(c) of title 42, or (B) in the case of any other paint or surface coatings, such other level as may be established by the Administrator.

(10) Lead-based paint hazard The term “lead-based paint hazard” means any condition that causes exposure to lead from lead-contaminated dust, lead-contaminated soil, lead-contaminated paint that is deteriorated or present in accessible surfaces, friction surfaces, or impact surfaces that would result in adverse human health effects as established by the Administrator under this subchapter.

(11) Lead-contaminated dust The term “lead-contaminated dust” means surface dust in residential dwellings that contains an area or mass concentration of lead in excess of levels determined by the Administrator under this subchapter to pose a threat of adverse health effects in pregnant women or young children.

(12) Lead-contaminated soil The term “lead-contaminated soil” means bare soil on residential real property that contains lead at or in excess of the levels determined to be hazardous to human health by the Administrator under this subchapter.

(13) Reduction The term “reduction” means measures designed to reduce or eliminate human exposure to lead-based paint hazards through methods including interim controls and abatement.

(14) Residential dwelling The term “residential dwelling” means—

(A) a single-family dwelling, including attached structures such as porches and stoops; or

(B) a single-family dwelling unit in a structure that contains more than 1 separate residential dwelling unit, and in which each such unit is used or occupied, or intended to be used or occupied, in whole or in part, as the home or residence of 1 or more persons.

(15) Residential real property The term “residential real property” means real property on which there is situated 1 or more residential dwellings used or occupied, or intended to be used or occupied, in whole or in part, as the home or residence of 1 or more persons.

(16) Risk assessment The term “risk assessment” means an on-site investigation to determine and report the existence, nature, severity and location of lead-based paint hazards in residential dwellings, including—

(A) information gathering regarding the age and history of the housing and occupancy by children under age 6;

(B) visual inspection;

(C) limited wipe sampling or other environmental sampling techniques;

(D) other activity as may be appropriate; and

(E) provision of a report explaining the results of the investigation.

(17) Target housing The term “target housing” means any housing constructed prior to 1978, except housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities or any 0-bedroom dwelling (unless any child who is less than 6 years of age resides or is expected to reside in such housing). In the case of jurisdictions which banned the sale or use of lead-based paint prior to 1978, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, at the Secretary’s discretion, may designate an earlier date.

(Pub. L. 94–469, title IV, § 401, as added Pub. L. 102–550, title X, § 1021(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3912; amended Pub. L. 115–31, div. K, title II, § 237(c), May 5, 2017, 131 Stat. 789.)

Notes

Editorial Notes

Amendments2017—Par. (17). Pub. L. 115–31, § 237(c)(1), which directed insertion of “or any 0-bedroom dwelling” after “disabilities,”, was executed by making the insertion after “disabilities” the first place appearing to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Pub. L. 115–31, § 237(c)(2), which directed substitution of “housing)” for “housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities) or any 0 bedroom dwelling”, was executed by making the substitution for “housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities) or any 0-bedroom dwelling” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.