XRF Lead Testing NYC
XRF (X-ray fluorescence) testing is the method New York City requires for lead-based paint inspections. A handheld analyzer is placed against a painted surface and reads the lead content through every layer of paint — without scraping, drilling, or removing anything. Any surface reading 0.5 mg/cm² or higher is legally lead-based paint.
Under Local Law 31, XRF testing must be performed by an EPA-certified lead inspector or risk assessor. Home test kits and visual inspections are not accepted.
Manhattan Lead Inspections performs XRF testing across all five boroughs.
Quick and accurate XRF lead testing
Hire a Certified EPA Inspector for XRF Lead Testing in NYC
We use handheld XRF analyzer machines to accurately test all types of surfaces for the presence of lead-based paint. Get a complete analysis and full report from our EPA-certified inspectors in NYC.
Hire a certified EPA inspector for XRF lead testing in NYC to accurately assess your property for lead hazards. Our experienced professionals use state-of-the-art XRF technology, providing non-invasive and reliable results to ensure your home or business is safe from lead contamination. Trust our certified experts for thorough inspections and peace of mind.
XRF Fluorescence
Get XRF lead tested today
What is XRF Fluorescence (XRF Lead Testing) in NYC?
XRF analyzers are handheld devices, similar in size and shape to a radar gun, that test painted surfaces for lead quickly and accurately. XRF is a non-destructive method nothing is scraped, drilled, or removed. The analyzer reads through every layer of paint, so it detects lead even when it’s buried under decades of newer coats.
Our EPA-certified inspectors use XRF technology for comprehensive lead-based paint testing in NY and NYC. Our XRF testing services cover all aspects of residential homes, including walls and ceilings, exterior & interior doors and windows, trim work, flooring, cabinetry, and other surfaces as needed.
At Manhattan Lead, we utilize state-of-the-art XRF lead-based paint testing in NYC. Our certified lead paint inspector in NYC will employ XRF analyzer machines to uncover the presence of lead paint poisoning in any area of your home. With our XRF testing services, you can expect efficient and accurate results, ensuring the safety of your environment. Contact us now for reliable and thorough XRF lead-based paint testing in NY and NYC.
Identify lead paint hazards
XRF Testing vs. Other Testing Methods
| Method | Reads through layers? | Destructive? | Results | Accepted for LL31? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XRF analysis | Yes | No | On site, immediate | Yes |
| Paint chip sampling | N/A — physical sample | Yes | Lab, several days | Limited use |
| Dust wipe sampling | N/A — measures dust, not paint | No | Lab, several days | For hazard assessment, not LBP identification |
| Hardware-store swab kit | No | Minor | Immediate, unreliable | No |
| Visual inspection | No | No | Immediate | No |
Why the swab kits fail. Consumer test kits react with the surface layer only. A building with lead paint under later coats returns a negative — the most dangerous possible false result, because the lead is still there and will be released the moment a window is opened or a wall is sanded.
Why visual inspection isn’t enough. A walkthrough can identify deteriorating paint, but it cannot determine whether that paint contains lead. NYC requires XRF.
Safe and reliable lead testing
When is XRF Lead Paint Testing Required?
Local Law 31 took effect in August 2020 and requires XRF lead paint testing in multiple dwellings built before 1960 — and in buildings built between 1960 and 1978 where the owner knows lead-based paint is present. The obligation falls on building owners, not tenants. The compliance deadline was August 9, 2025, so buildings that weren’t tested by that date are currently non-compliant. Failure to test, or to produce documentation when HPD requests it, is a Class “C” hazardous violation carrying civil penalties.
XRF testing must be performed by an EPA-certified lead inspector.
Inspection must be performed within 5 years.
If you have a child under 6 years of age, the XRF lead testing shortens to 1 year.
XRF analysis is also required when you apply for an HPD lead exemption.
XRF testing for a lead-free living
Searching for a licensed, bonded, insured & certified lead inspection company in NYC?
If your residential or commercial property was built in 1978 or earlier, it is likely to contain hazardous lead paint. This type of paint can be found in the form of chipping or dust and poses significant risks to both the environment and human health. Breathing in lead-contaminated particles can lead to various health problems, making it particularly dangerous for children under the age of six. To ensure the safety of your home or office, it is highly recommended that you have it inspected for the presence of lead paint.
At Manhattan Lead, our team of inspectors and risk assessors specializes in identifying and managing lead hazards. We employ advanced techniques such as XRF testing to thoroughly assess and test for the presence of lead in and around your property. Whether you are located in NYC, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, or Staten Island, you can trust our EPA-certified and licensed lead inspection services to safeguard your property
XRF testing: the smart choice
What is the XRF Lead Testing Process?
X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) is a sophisticated method for identifying lead-based paint. Rather than taking a physical sample, the analyzer reads the painted surface in place and measures the lead concentration directly, in milligrams per square centimeter. This produces a precise numeric reading for each surface tested, eliminating the guesswork of visual assessment or surface-level test kits.
The XRF testing requires our certified inspector to use an XRF analyzer machine, which they hold within 4 inches of the painted surface. The XRF analyzer machine, specifically designed for precise lead testing, provides accurate results. We offer reliable XRF lead testing in NYC to ensure the safety of your property.
For professional XRF lead testing in NYC, trust the expertise of Manhattan Lead. Our certified lead paint inspector in NYC utilizes advanced XRF technology to ensure accurate and reliable results. Contact us today for comprehensive XRF testing in NYC to safeguard your environment.
XRF testing: the smart choice
How XRF Testing Works
An XRF analyzer directs a low-energy X-ray beam at a painted surface. Lead atoms in the paint absorb that energy and re-emit it at a wavelength unique to lead. The device measures that fluorescence and calculates lead concentration in milligrams per square centimeter.
Nothing is removed. The analyzer is placed in contact with the surface and takes its reading in place. No scraping, no drilling, no sanding, no dust generated, no repainting afterward.
It reads through every layer. Lead paint from the 1940s buried under six coats of modern latex still registers. This is the central advantage over surface tests and swab kits, which only read the top coat.
It’s quantitative and immediate. You get a numeric reading per surface not a pass/fail on site, without waiting for a laboratory.
What We Test?
Every painted surface required for compliance:
Walls and ceilings · doors, frames, and casings · windows, sills, sashes, and frames · baseboards, trim, and molding · closets, cabinets, shelving, and built-ins · radiators and covers · stair treads, risers, and railings · flooring · common areas · exterior surfaces where applicable
Knowledgeable lead paint professionals
FAQ'S
FAQ'S
Yes. The analyzer emits a low-energy beam directed at the surface being tested, and operators are trained and certified in its safe use.
No. Nothing is scraped, drilled, or removed. The reading is taken through the paint in place.
XRF gives a quantitative reading per surface and is the method NYC requires. Paint chip sampling with lab analysis is used selectively — to confirm ambiguous readings or on substrates XRF reads less reliably.
No. Swab kits read only the top layer, so they miss lead buried under later coats — and HPD does not accept them.
Only if you have actual knowledge that lead-based paint is present. LL31’s automatic testing requirement applies to pre-1960 buildings. Call us with the address and we’ll tell you.
An EPA-certified lead inspector or risk assessor, independent of the owner and of any firm hired to perform remediation.
Yes — Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.