How is lead-based paint defined?

Lead-based paint is specifically defined as paint that contains lead at or above a certain threshold, which is 1.0 mg/cm². This definition is important because it sets a clear standard for identifying hazardous materials in environments, especially housing built before 1978, when the use of lead-based paint was banned in residential properties. The threshold of 1.0 mg/cm² allows inspectors and lead abatement professionals to determine which paints need to be addressed during remediation efforts.

In contrast, the other options provide definitions that do not meet the established criteria for lead-based paint. For example, paint that is chipped or flaking may not necessarily contain lead at hazardous levels, and simply having any detectable level of lead does not automatically categorize the paint as hazardous without meeting the defined threshold. Certified lead-free paints, on the other hand, explicitly do not contain lead, making them non-hazardous and irrelevant to the definition of lead-based paint. Understanding this specific threshold is crucial for anyone working in lead abatement to effectively manage and mitigate risks associated with lead exposure.