Challenges of Importing Residential Lead Paint Inspection and Risk Assessment Reports Into a National Database

Increased standardization of LBP report formats, including standardized room, building component, and surface nomenclature, is needed to create a national housing surveillance system. All current commercially available XRF portable LBP analyzers can download data into electronic files, making handwritten data obsolete. Most labs can provide electronic files with dust and soil data. Improved standardization will help optimal targeting of remediation and future research to ensure children are adequately protected. Such standardization could be accomplished by a revised edition of the HUD lead paint guidelines and/or the establishment of a consensus standard-setting organization, such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).