On December 27, 2017, the US Court of Appeals ruled the Environmental Protection Agency must issue a proposed rule within 90 days to update lead-based paint and lead-dust hazard standards. The court also ruled that the EPA must promulgate the final rule within one year after the announcement of the proposed update.
Complaints were filed in August of 2009 by multiple groups, including the Sierra Club and United Parents Against Lead National, urging the EPA to use its rule-making authority in order to more adequately protect children. Court filings requested lead-dust hazard levels to be lowered to 10 µg/ft2 for floors and 100 µg/ft2 for window sills and the standard for lead-based paint be lowered to 0.06% lead by weight. The EPA responded in October 2009 and agreed, however, since that date EPA has not provided specifics on the rule nor a date when the proposed rules would come into effect.