Lead-Based Paint Report: XRF Testing Initiative

On April 15, 2019, NYCHA began an initiative to test for lead-based paint using an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) device at 134,084 apartments at NYCHA developments that were built before 1978. Only apartments that have not been tested previously are included in this initiative. On December 1, 2021, NYCHA suspended this program, which had been testing for lead-based paint using the old New York City standard of 1.0 milligrams of lead per square centimeter or more.

Effective December 1, 2021, New York City has a new standard for defining the presence of lead in paint in accordance with Local Law 66 of 2019. This new standard defines lead-based paint as having 0.5 milligrams of lead per square centimeter or more.

Please note that the lead testing results listed on this first tab were conducted using the new standard of 0.5 milligrams of lead per square centimeter. The second tab shows the results based on the testing initiative from April 2019 to December 2021 at 1.0 milligrams of lead per square centimeter.

The lead testing results listed on this tab were conducted using the new New York City standard of 0.5 milligrams of lead per square centimeter.

Data as of 05/15/2025

Borough

Development

Lead-Based Paint Inspections

Total Completed Total Attempted
Cumulative-Attempted & Completed 116,297 119,866

Inspections For All Boroughs and Developments

Borough Total Completed Total Attempted
Bronx 28,443 29,250
Brooklyn 34,353 35,968
Manhattan 38,277 38,811
Queens 12,353 12,730
Staten Island 2,871 3,085
Total 116,297 119,866

Testing Results For All Boroughs and Developments

# of Unit Test Results Received Positive Negative # of Units Pending Results
105,775 48,404 57,371 10,522
This tab displays the progress of inspections and results of the XRF testing using the federal standard of 1.0 milligrams of lead per square centimeter or more.

Data as of 05/15/2025

Borough

Development

Lead-Based Paint Inspections

Total Completed Total Attempted
Cumulative - Total & Target 108,247 108,253
Progress to Final Target 80.73% 80.73%

Inspections For All Boroughs and Developments

Borough Cumulative
Total Completed Total Attempted
Bronx 26,830 31,957
Brooklyn 35,715 46,269
Manhattan 34,412 42,469
Queens 9,161 10,809
Staten Island 2,129 2,581
Total 108,247 108,253

Final Testing Results For All Boroughs and Developments (Conducted Before the New, Stricter Standard)

Please note that these results reflect the prior testing standard for lead-based paint (1.0 mg/cm2) and not the new, stricter standard of 0.5 mg/cm2.

# of Unit Test Results Received Positive Negative # of Units Pending Results
104,065 25,836 78,229 4,182