Lead Paint Testing NYC
Lead paint testing determines whether lead is present in a building’s paint, dust, or soil — and at what concentration. In New York City, paint is tested with an XRF analyzer, and any surface reading 0.5 mg/cm² or higher is legally classified as lead-based paint. Dust and soil are tested by collecting samples for laboratory analysis.
Manhattan Lead Inspections is an EPA-certified firm providing lead testing across all five boroughs.
Trustworthy lead paint analysis
Manhattan Lead Testing A Full Compliance Lead Based Paint Testing in NYC
Even the smallest trace of lead can result in causing serious health issues. Are you concerned that your home or workplace contains lead paint? Call our EPA-certified lead paint testing in NYC to conduct a complete risk assessment inspection.
What we can do for you:
X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Testing
Manhattan Lead Inspections
Paint Chip Sampling & Analysis
Manhattan Lead Inspections
Inspection Reports & Remediation Plans
Manhattan Lead Inspections
Risk Assessment for Lead Based Hazards
Manhattan Lead Inspections
Laboratory Findings
Manhattan Lead Inspections
Identify lead paint hazards
XRF Lead Paint Testing - The Fastest Way to Check Lead in Your NYC Home
XRF device is a special type of x-ray device which can see through layers of paint. It can detect the amount of lead on the surface and in between layers of paint. The XRF device can determine if a painted surface contains lead-based paint by measuring the x-ray fluorescence coming from the surface.
Federal law does three things for pre-1978 housing:
- Disclosure. Sellers and landlords must disclose known lead-based paint and hazards and provide the EPA’s “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home” pamphlet.
- Renovation. Firms performing work that disturbs painted surfaces must be EPA-certified under the RRP Rule.
- Federally assisted housing. HUD’s Lead Safe Housing Rule adds requirements including clearance testing.
None of these requires a property owner to test. They govern what you disclose and who may disturb paint.
New York City goes considerably further. Local Law 31 of 2020 requires XRF testing of every dwelling unit and common area in pre-1960 multiple dwellings — and in 1960–1978 buildings where the owner knows lead paint is present — regardless of whether anyone requests it. The deadline was August 9, 2025. Where a child under six comes to reside in a covered unit, testing must be completed within one year of move-in.
If you own residential property in NYC, the city’s rules are the ones that generate violations.
Manhattan Lead Inspections can provide certified lead based paint testing and risk assessment inspections in NYC to ensure your home or business is fully compliant and safe.
Expert lead paint testing
Why Choose Manhattan Lead for Lead Paint Testing in NYC?
We provide unbiased results so that you can make an informed decision on how to protect your family and employees from exposure to lead. Our experienced staff use the latest technology and techniques to provide accurate, reliable results.
Using the powerful XRF technology, our team can identify the presence of lead in paint and provide an accurate risk assessment. We also offer detailed reports that include sample locations and detailed descriptions of the lead found. This report can be used to evaluate any potential risks and decide on the best solutions for lead abatement.
Protect your home value
Our Lead Paint Inspection in NYC
We begin our inspection process by evaluating each area of the property (including walls, doors, windows) to determine if lead paint may be present in any part of your house. We take samples from each room and send it to our laboratories for analysis.
When it comes to home lead inspection, our certified risk assessors use XRF technology to inspect all areas that might contain lead-based paint and provide a written inspection report with our findings. The report includes detailed information on any potential lead hazards found within your property.
Upon completion of the lead paint inspection process, we create a comprehensive risk assessment report and share it with you. If the potential risks identified are dangerous to health, we recommend you to perform complete lead abatement.
We also provide a remediation plan that outlines how to address any identified hazards and minimize risks for occupants.
Identify lead paint hazards
Which Test Do You Need?
| Test | What it detects | When it’s used |
|---|---|---|
| XRF analysis | Lead in paint, through all layers, on the surface tested | Local Law 31 compliance, property purchase, identifying which surfaces contain lead |
| Dust wipe sampling | Lead dust on floors, window sills, and troughs | Assessing whether lead has become a hazard; post-abatement clearance; violation response |
| Paint chip sampling | Lead concentration in a physical sample, lab-confirmed | Confirming ambiguous XRF readings; substrates XRF reads unreliably |
| Soil sampling | Lead in exterior soil | Yards, play areas, ground-floor entries |
| Water testing | Lead in drinking water — a separate pathway from paint | Buildings with legacy plumbing → [link: /lead-water-testing-nyc/] |
The short version: for Local Law 31 compliance you need XRF. If you have deteriorated paint, an open violation, or a child with an elevated blood lead level, you likely need dust wipes as well.
Not sure? Call (212) 226-1614 and describe the situation. We’ll tell you the scope you need — and if you don’t need testing at all, we’ll tell you that too.
Accurate lead paint analysis
NYC Lead Inspection - Where We Bring You Back in Compliance
At Manhattan Lead Inspection, our team is dedicated to providing you with the most comprehensive lead inspections and risk assessments. We know how important it is for your home or business to stay safe and compliant, and so we strive to provide the highest standard of care.
Our team of lead risk assessors are trained professionals who understand the dangers associated with lead hazards and can help you identify any potential risks. They will inspect your property thoroughly and use XRF technology to provide accurate results.
Let us bring you back into compliance.
Knowledgeable lead paint professionals
FAQ'S
FAQ'S
Testing refers to the techniques — XRF, dust wipe, paint chip, soil. An inspection is the engagement: a certified inspector applies those techniques across a property and issues a report. In practice, most people asking for “lead paint testing in NYC” need a Local Law 31 inspection.
0.5 mg/cm² or higher, lowered from 1.0 mg/cm² effective December 1, 2021.
Yes, and it’s the method NYC requires. It reads through all paint layers and returns a quantitative reading per surface rather than pass/fail.
XRF is non-destructive — nothing is removed. Paint chip sampling does remove a small physical sample, which is why it’s used selectively.
Not for compliance. Swab kits are not accepted by HPD and are unreliable on multi-layer painted surfaces.
Possibly not. The threshold was lowered in December 2021 and Local Law 111 of 2023 added common areas. Send us the report and we’ll review it at no charge.
Yes — Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.
Safe lead paint removal options