ACN 130/19 - NOV 2019 REVISED STANDARDS FOR LEAD IN DUST ON FLOORS AND WINDOW SILLS

ALCOAST COMMANDANT NOTICE                      CANCEL DATE  31 OCT 2020

R 011558 NOV 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N05100//
ACN 130/19
SUBJ:  REVISED STANDARDS FOR LEAD IN DUST ON FLOORS AND WINDOW SILLS
A. Safety and Environmental Health Manual, COMDTINST M5100.47C
B. 40 CFR Part 745-Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention in Certain Residential
Structures 
1. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published more stringent standards
for dust lead hazard (DLHS) on floors and window sills in certain residential
structures. This EPA standard, effective 6 January 2020, applies to Coast Guard
controlled housing units or Unaccompanied Personnel Housing (UPH) constructed prior
to 1979, where at risk members (children under the age of 7 and pregnant women)
reside. It also applies to CG Child Development Centers (CDCs).
2. Changes are required in Chapter 25 of REF (A) to align with the updates in REF (B). 
    a. Change the housing construction year from 1981 to 1979.
    b. Monitoring Level. At this level, the concentration or physical condition does
not pose a health risk or require corrective actions. Change the monitoring levels
as follows:
       (1) Floors (carpeted and uncarpeted):, change the level from "less than 40 micrograms
per square foot (40 ug/ft2)" to "less than 10 micrograms per square foot (ug/ft2)."
       (2) Interior Window Sills: change the level from "less than 250 ug/ft2" to
"less than 100 ug/ft2."
3. Action Level. At this level, the concentration or physical condition may pose
an increased human health risk. Findings at this level require corrective actions.
Change the action levels as follows:
    a. Floors (carpeted and uncarpeted): change the level from "greater than or equal
to 40 micrograms per square foot (40 ug/ft2)" to "greater than or equal to 10 micrograms
per square foot (10 ug/ft2)."
    b. Interior Window Sills: change the level from "greater than or equal to 250 ug/ft2" to
"greater than or equal to 100 ug/ft2."
4. Unit Commanders inspecting CG owned housing units and CDCs must use the current
monitoring and actions levels; UPHs capable of housing or being used to house CG
at-risk members for extended periods of time (i.e. not duty rooms, or crew lounges)
should also be included with unit inspections.
5. Wherever practical, Unit Commanders should begin implementing these lower standards
prior to the effective date of 06 January 2020.
6. Coast Guard Public Affairs Office (CG-092) has developed a “Safe Homes Initiative:
Frequently Asked Questions” website. COMDT (CG-113) created a “Frequently Asked Questions:
Lead in Coast Guard Units” document located at:
https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Safe-Homes-Initiative/ to address questions regarding lead
dust in non-residential areas in CG units.
7. These lead dust standard changes will be reflected in the next revision of REF (A)
as well as updated in the Lead Hazard Awareness & Management Tactics, Techniques and
Procedures (TTP), which will both be released within the next year.
8. Policy issues concerning this ACN should be directed to Carolyn W. Onye, COMDT
(CG-1131), at (202) 475-5214 or Carolyn.W.Onye@uscg.mil. Housing questions should be
directed to your local housing office. For other questions, please contact your District
Safety and Environmental Health Officer at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/hswlsc/SafeEvHealth/SitePages/Contacts.aspx.
9. Released by RADM Dana L. Thomas, Director of Health, Safety and Work-life.
10. Internet release is authorized.