Technical Studies
EPA conducts research and applied science on a range of technical issues relevant to the federal lead program. These efforts are helping to:
- Determine the linkage between children's blood lead levels and environmental lead levels.
- Assess the extent of lead and lead hazards in the United States.
- Evaluate ways to reduce children's lead exposure.
- Foster the development of better ways to identify and control lead hazards so as to eliminate childhood lead poisoning.
- Support federal policies through sound science and analysis.
Listed below are technical documents, reports, articles, and other technical materials related to lead.
Some items are available through the National Lead Information Center (NLIC). These items have an NLIC reference number following the title. Use the NLIC reference number to order a document using the National Lead Information Center Document Request Form page.
Similarly, other items are available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) and are identified by an NTIS reference number following the title. Use the NTIS reference number when ordering from NTIS. To order from NTIS, contact NTIS.
The technical items on this page are organized in the following categories:
- Federal Strategy for Dealing with Lead
- Blood Lead Levels
- Linkage Between Blood Lead and Environmental Lead
- Extent of Lead and Lead Hazards in the United States
- Identifying Lead and Lead Hazards
- Lead Abatement and Hazard Control
- Renovation and Remodeling
- Cleaning Lead Dust
- Educational Interventions
Federal Strategy for Dealing with Lead
- Eliminating Childhood Lead Poisoning (PDF) : A Federal Strategy Targeting Lead Paint Hazards, President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children, February 2000. [NLIC # 704 and # 705]
- Preventing Lead Poisoning in Young Children (PDF) : A Statement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, August 2005.
Blood Lead Levels
- Final Report for the Pilot Study of Targeting Elevated Blood-Lead Levels in Children (PDF)
- Appendix A - Exploratory Analysis Summary Pages (PDF)
- Appendix B - Massachusetts Data: Exploratory Analysis Summary Pages (PDF)
- Appendix C - Detailed Exploratory Analyses of 95th and 99th Percentile Variables in National Models (PDF)
- Appendix D - Detailed Discussion of National Exploratory Analyses (PDF)
- Appendix E - Detailed Discussion of Massachusetts Exploratory Analyses (PDF)
- Appendix F - U.S. Counties and Massachusetts Census Tracts with Highest Predicted BLLs (PDF)
- Appendix G - Detailed Maps of National and State Model Output (PDF)
- Appendix H - Data Dictionaries for National and Massachusetts Databases (PDF)
- Blood Lead Levels – United States, 1999-2002; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 27, 2005, 54(20); 513-6.
- National Childhood Blood Lead Surveillance Data ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Surveillance for Elevated Blood Lead Levels Among Children - United States, 1997-2001; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 12, 2003, 52(SS10); 1-21.
- Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, Metals, Lead; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009; see, pages 212-217.
- Blood Lead Levels in Young Children - United States and Selected States, 1996-1999; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, December 22, 2000, 49(50); 1133-7.
- Exposure of the U.S. Population to Lead; 1991-1994; Pirkle, JL; Kaufman, RB; Brody, DJ; Hickman, T; Gunter, EW; Paschal, DC, Environmental Health Perspectives, November 1998, Volume 106, Number 11: 745-50.
- Update: Blood Lead Levels - United States, 1991-1994; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, February 21, 1997, 46(7); 141-6.
- Erratum: Vol. 46, No. 7, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, July 4, 1997, 46(26); 607.
- Blood Lead Levels - United States, 1988-1991; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, August 5, 1994, 43(30); 545-548.
- Current Trends in Blood Lead Levels in U.S. Population; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 19, 1982, 31(10); 132-4.
Linkage Between Blood Lead and Environmental Lead
- Analysis of Pathways of Residential Lead Exposure in Children, December 2000 (EPA 747-R-98-007) (PDF) [NLIC # 710]
- Risk Analysis to Support Standards for Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil, June 1998 (EPA 747-R-97-006)
- Risk Analysis to Support Standards for Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil: Supplemental Report, December 2000 (EPA 747-R-00-004) [NLIC # 452 and #453]
- Seasonal Trends in Blood Lead Levels in Milwaukee, August 1996 (EPA 747-R-95-010) (PDF) [NLIC # 709]
- Seasonal Rhythms of Blood-Lead Levels: Boston, 1979-1983, September 1995 (EPA 747-R-94-003) (PDF) [NLIC # 707]
Extent of Lead and Lead Hazards in the United States
- A Summary of Studies Addressing the Source of Soil-Lead, Volume I: Technical Summary," February 1998 (EPA 747-R-98-001A) (PDF) [NLIC # 450]
- A Summary of Studies Addressing the Source of Soil-Lead, Volume II: Study Abstracts," February 1998 (EPA 747-R-98-001B) (PDF) [NLIC # 451]
- Distribution of Soil Lead in the Nation's Housing Stock, May 1996 (EPA 747-R-96-002). Executive Summary. Full Report (PDF). [NLIC # 448]
- Report on the National Survey of Lead-Based Paint in Housing, Base Report, April 1995 (EPA 747-R-95-003) (PDF)
- Report on the National Survey of Lead-Based Paint in Housing, Appendix I: Design and Methodology, April 1995 (EPA 747-R-95-004) (PDF) [NLIC # 446]
- Report on the National Survey of Lead-Based Paint in Housing, Appendix II: Analysis, April 1995 (EPA 747-R-95-005) (PDF) [NLIC # 447]
- Data Analysis of Lead in Soil and Dust, September 1993 (EPA 747-R-93-011) (PDF) [NLIC # 439]
Identifying Lead and Lead Hazards
- Technical Bulletin: Composite Dust Wipe Samples, April 2000 (EPA 747-F-00-004) (PDF) [NLIC # 416]
- Evaluation of Section 402 Risk Analysis Protocols, September 1999 (EPA 747-R-99-003) (PDF) [NLIC # 410]
- Conversion Equations for Use in Section 403 Rulemaking, December 1997 (EPA 747-R-96-012). Executive Summary. Full Report (PDF) [NLIC # 423]
- Methodology for XRF Performance Characteristic Sheets, September 1997 (EPA 747-R-95-008) (PDF)
- Archive Operations and Protocols, September 1997 (EPA 747-R-97-004) (PDF)
- A Field Test of Lead-Based Paint Testing Technologies: Data Documentation, March 1997 (EPA 747-R-96-001) [NTIS # PB99113326]
- Adjustments to the HUD National Survey Dust Data for Section 403 Analyses, December 1996 (EPA 747-R-96-011) (PDF) [NLIC # 422]
- Analysis of Composite Wipe Samples for Lead Content, July 1996 (EPA 747-R-96-003) (PDF) [NLIC # 444]
- Sampling House Dust for Lead: Basic Concepts and Literature Review, September 1995 (EPA 747-R-95-007) (PDF)
- A Field Test of Lead-Based Paint Testing Technologies: Summary Report, May 1995 (EPA 747-R-95-002a) [NLIC # 420]
- A Field Test of Lead-Based Paint Testing Technologies: Technical Report, May 1995 (EPA 747-R-95-002b) [NTIS # PB96125026]
- Residential Sampling for Lead: Protocols for Dust and Soil Sampling, March 1995 (EPA 747-R-95-001) (PDF) [NLIC # 440]
Lead Abatement and Hazard Control
- Review of Studies Addressing Lead Abatement Effectiveness: Updated Edition, December 1998 (EPA 747-B-98-001) (PDF) [NLIC # 361]
- Executive Summary - Comprehensive Abatement Performance Pilot Study, Volume II: Multi-element Data Analyses," July 1998 (EPA 747-R-98-002) [NLIC # 360]
- Executive Summary - Lead-Based Paint Abatement and Repair and Maintenance Study in Baltimore: Findings Based on Two Years of Follow-up, December 1997 (EPA 747-R-97-005) (PDF) [NLIC # 359]
- Executive Summary - Lead-Based Paint Abatement and Repair and Maintenance Study in Baltimore: Findings Based on the First Year of Follow-up, August 1997 (EPA 747-R-97-001) [NLIC # 356]
- Lead-Based Paint Abatement and Repair and Maintenance Study in Baltimore: Pre-Intervention Findings, August 1996 (EPA 747-R-95-012) (PDF)
- Comprehensive Abatement Performance Study, Volume I: Summary Report, April 1996 (EPA 230-R-94-013a) (PDF)
- Comprehensive Abatement Performance Study, Volume II: Detailed Statistical Results, April 1996 (EPA 230-R-94-013b) [NLIC # 354]
- Pilot Testing Program for Protocols for Lead-Based Paint Encapsulants, September 1995 (EPA 747-R-95-011) [NLIC # 445]
- Comprehensive Abatement Performance Pilot Study, Volume I: Results of Lead Data Analysis February 1995 (EPA 747-R-93-007) [NLIC # 357]
Renovation and Remodeling
- Notice of Availability; New Renovation Studies (March 16, 2007) [EPA-HQ-OPPT-2005-0049].
- Draft Final Report on Characterization of Dust Lead Levels After Renovation, Repair, and Painting Activities (PDF)
- Lead-Safe Work Practices Survey Project Report, Atrium Environmental Health and Safety Services, LLC, for the National Association of Home Builders, November 2006 (PDF)
(*This report is included in these materials because the subject matter of the report relates to lead-safe work practices. The presence of this report on this page does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or approval by the United States government. The views and opinions of the report's authors, as expressed therein, do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States government and may not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.) - Lead Exposure Associated with Renovation and Remodeling Activities, Final Summary Report, January 2000 (EPA 747-S-00-001) (PDF) [NLIC # 387]
- Lead Exposure Associated with Renovation and Remodeling Activities: Phase IV, Worker Characterization and Blood-Lead Study of R&R Workers Who Specialize in Renovation of Old or Historic Homes, March 1999 (EPA 747-R-99-001) Executive Summary. Full Report (PDF) [NLIC # 408]
- Lead Exposure Associated with Renovation and Remodeling Activities: Phase III, Wisconsin Childhood Blood-Lead Study, March 1999 (EPA 747-R-99-002) Executive Summary. Full Report (PDF) [NLIC # 407]
- Lead Exposure Associated with Renovation and Remodeling Activities: Summary Report, May 1997 (EPA 747-R-96-005) (PDF)
- Lead Exposure Associated with Renovation and Remodeling Activities: Phase II, Worker Characterization and Blood-Lead Study, May 1997 (EPA 747-R-96-006) (PDF) [NLIC # 403]
- Lead Exposure Associated with Renovation and Remodeling Activities: Phase I, Environmental Field Sampling Study, Volume I: Technical Report, May 1997 (EPA 747-R-96-007) (PDF) [NLIC # 404]
- Lead Exposure Associated with Renovation and Remodeling Activities: Phase I, Environmental Field Sampling Study, Volume II: Appendices, May 1997 (EPA 747-R-96-008) (PDF) [NLIC # 405]
Cleaning Lead Dust
- Analysis of Lead Dust Clearance Testing, December 2001 (EPA 747-R-01-005) [NLIC # 455]
- Lead-Cleaning Efficacy Follow-Up Study, October 1998 (EPA 747-R-98-008) [NLIC # 417]
- Summary and Assessment of Published Information on Determining Lead Exposures and Mitigating Lead Hazards Associated with Dust and Soil in Residential Carpets, Furniture, and Forced Air Ducts, December 1997 (EPA 747-S-97-001) (PDF) [NLIC # 471]
- Executive Summary - Laboratory Study of Lead-Cleaning Efficacy, March 1997 (EPA 747-R-97-002) [NLIC # 419]
- Laboratory Evaluation of Dust and Dust Lead Recoveries for Samplers and Vacuum Cleaners, Volume I: Objectives, Methods, Results, March 1995 (EPA 747-R-94-004A) [NTIS # PB2001104743]
- Laboratory Evaluation of Dust and Dust Lead Recoveries for Samplers and Vacuum Cleaners, Volume II: Appendices from the Quality Assurance Project Plan, March 1995 (EPA 747-R-94-004B) [NTIS # PB2001104744]