Biden-Harris Administration Strengthens Safeguards to Protect Families and Children from Lead in Contaminated Soil at Residential Sites (Butte, Montana) | US EPA

Utilizing updated, best available science, EPA lowers screening levels for the first time in 30 years

January 17, 2024

Butte, Montana — The EPA site team would like to share that the agency’s headquarters has just released new national guidance for soil-lead contamination at Superfund and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) sites. This new guidance lowers the screening level for lead in soil at residential properties from 400 parts per million (ppm) to 200 ppm. At residential properties with multiple sources of lead exposure, EPA will generally use 100 ppm as the screening level. It is anticipated that the new guidance will result in a significant reduction in residential action levels in Butte.    

Screening levels are not cleanup standards. While this update will help EPA site teams make site-specific cleanup decisions to protect communities, EPA makes cleanup decisions specific to each site, using site-specific factors, including risk factors and community input that can vary from site to site.   

These screening levels will help select residential action levels that are protective of human health, factoring in risk factors and bioavailability (how much of a substance the body can absorb if ingested). This conservative approach is meant to reduce potential exposure that could lead to harmful elevated blood-lead levels.   

“Blood lead levels in children have seen a nationwide decline which is a testament to decades of dedicated efforts including extensive Superfund cleanups throughout Montana. However, the science is clear that we must continue to reduce lead exposure where children live, learn, and play,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “With the introduction of the updated lead soil guidance the EPA is embarking on the next crucial step in our continuous efforts to protect kids’ health throughout the state.”  

EPA designs our cleanups to address the unique conditions at each site. The project team will continue working with all parties to direct the efforts to implement this new national guidance. While there are many details to be worked out on how this will be implemented, these updates will ensure the Butte community is protected and the remedy remains consistent with the latest science.   

“The EPA’s announcement that the residential screening levels in Butte-Silver Bow will be lowered is exciting news for our community.  This change is evidence that new science is considered as the EPA implements remedial projects. Throughout my administration, we’ve consistently questioned the development and effectiveness of the action levels utilized in our community,“ said J.P Gallagher, Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive. “This revised lead level standard for Butte- Silver Bow and all communities is a positive change, providing a safer and healthier cleanup for our residents.” 

EPA will continue to be in touch with the community and stakeholders as we develop next steps.  For more information now, please check out the new national guidance.

While the guidance goes into effect immediately, EPA welcomes feedback from the public which may be considered in any future updates to the guidance. Please submit written feedback on the guidance in public docket on www.regulations.gov (Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OLEM-2023-0644) for 60 days from January 17, 2024 – March 17, 2024.