EPA’s FY 2026 Milestones under the Federal Lead Action Plan
The agency’s FY 2026 commitments are listed by individual Federal Lead Action Plan objective. Assembling these commitments enables EPA to transparently track its progress and ensure public accountability in addressing lead contamination and exposure prevention. Learn more about EPA’s work under the Federal Lead Action Plan.
Mid-year status updates were added in June 2026. End of year reporting will be added in November 2026.
Goal 1: Reduce Children's Exposure to Lead Sources
Objectives
1.1: Reduce Children’s Exposure in Homes and Child-Occupied Facilities with Lead-Based Paint Hazards
1.2: Reduce Exposure to Lead from Drinking Water
1.3: Reduce Exposure to Lead in Soil
1.4: Reduce Exposure to Lead Associated with Emissions to Ambient Air
1.7: Reduce Exposure to Lead in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
1.9 Reduce Lead Exposure Through Enforcement and Compliance Assistance
| Objective | Milestone | Deadline | Midyear Status Update |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Coordinate five virtual stakeholder engagement opportunities to improve awareness of EPA’s Lead-Based Paint Program. | October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026 | In Progress 3 engagements occurred in 2025; 2 additional engagements are planned. |
| 1.1 | Propose a soil-lead hazard standard reconsideration rule to increase protection for children in homes and child-care facilities where soil-lead hazards are present. | By Winter 2027 | In Progress |
| 1.2 | Develop and publish new tools and information (e.g., guidance, fact sheets, best practices) to support Lead and Copper Rule Improvements flexibilities and regulatory clarity. | In Spring 2026 | In Progress Read the draft fact sheets released for public comment, Service Line Replacement Access Tips (PDF) and Service Line Tips (PDF). |
| 1.2 | Develop support materials for public water systems and states for implementing the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, including:
| By end of FY 2026 | In Progress |
| 1.2 | Release a Lead Funding Playbook that highlights how public water systems are utilizing Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Lead Service Line Replacement funding to identify and replace lead service lines. The Playbook will include information on funding amounts and eligibilities as well as project case studies. | In Spring 2026 | In Progress |
| 1.2 | Announce FY 2026 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) funding for states to replace lead service lines and redistribute unused FY 2022-2024 funds to states and continue working with states to help them use the funds effectively. | In Spring 2026 | Completed |
| 1.2 | Release lead service line replacement resources (e.g., templates, case studies, best practices) on utility public engagement, working with decision-makers, and inventory assistance that water systems could use for their projects. | By Fall 2026 | In Progress |
| 1.2 | Release the Implementation Guide and an Allotment Memo for FY 2026 grant funding for Voluntary School and Child-Care Lead Testing and Reduction grant. | By Fall 2026 | In Progress |
| 1.3 | Report all cleanup projects completed that address lead as a contaminant in communities in the U.S. This includes both removal and remedial cleanup projects under Superfund, as well as RCRA hazardous waste cleanup and Brownfields projects | By Fall 2026 | In Progress |
| 1.3 | Pursuant to the October 2025 Residential Soil Lead Directive for CERCLA Sites and RCRA Hazardous Waste Cleanup Facilities, establish a National Center of Excellence for CERCLA Residential Lead Cleanups. | By Winter 2027 | Completed |
| 1.4 | Finalize amendments to secondary lead smelters National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. The secondary lead smelting industry consists of facilities that recycle lead-bearing scrap material, typically lead acid batteries, into elemental lead or lead alloys. | By end of FY 2026 | In Progress |
| 1.7 | Update the Heavy Metals in Cultural Products Toolkit as new educational and outreach resources are made available and continue to inform stakeholders of the toolkit’s availability. | By September 2026 | In Progress 3 new resources and 2 updates to existing resources were added. Other resources will be added as they become available. |
| 1.9 | Publicly report on national statistics related to lead cleanups and inspections. | Annually | In Progress |
Goal 2: Identify Lead-Exposed Children & Improve Their Health Outcomes
Objectives
2.4: Facilitate Referrals and Receipt of Appropriate Services for Children Identified as At-Risk for Developmental Delays Due to Lead Exposure
| Objective | Milestone | Deadline | Midyear Status Update |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 | Issue funding for Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units to address a variety of children’s environmental health hazards, including lead through education, outreach, consultations and trainings with medical and public health professionals and community members. | By end of FY 2026 | In Progress |
Goal 3: Communicate More Effectively with Stakeholders
Objectives
3.1: Consolidate and Streamline Federal Lead-Related Communication and Messaging
3.2: Improve Awareness of Lead Hazards, Prevention, and Remediation among Diverse Populations, Especially Those Most at Risk
| Objective | Milestone | Deadline | Midyear Status Update |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | Review and update the information provided in the Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home pamphlet as new requirements are developed. EPA’s Lead-Based Paint Program, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are co-authors of the document, which is required by law to be provided in pre-1978 house purchases and rentals to consumers. | In FY 2026 | Completed |
| 3.1 | Update the English and Spanish versions of the Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home pamphlet based on the FY 2025 review, with a follow-up update planned in FY 2029 to incorporate the finalized soil-lead hazard standards rule (by February 2026). Publish updated pamphlet in Arabic, Chinese Simplified and Traditional, French, Korean, Polish, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. | By the end of FY 2026 | In Progress The January 2026 version of the pamphlet was published in English and Spanish. Other translations are in progress. |
| 3.1 | Track and report EPA’s direct implementation activities related to lead programs in Indian country to better understand EPA program delivery and ensure human health and environmental protection is as strong in Indian country as outside of Indian country. | By FY 2026 Q4 | In Progress |
| 3.1 | Lead the President’s Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children’s Lead Exposures Subcommittee to facilitate cross-agency coordination and information sharing for the implementation of the Federal Lead Action Plan, including the completion of the Federal Lead Resources Guide. | By the end of FY 2026 | Completed Read the FY 2025 Progress Report on the Federal Lead Action Plan and Federal Lead Resources Guide. |
| 3.1 | Advance cooperative federalism by hosting five EPA region–state listening sessions to enhance shared situational awareness of lead challenges and identify feasible, near-term opportunities for collaborative actions. | By the end of FY 2026 | In Progress 5 listening sessions were completed. EPA is partnering with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and Environmental Council of States (ECOS) to identify opportunities for additional collaborative actions. |
| 3.1 | Publish National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2026 materials on EPA’s webpage to allow time for individuals, organizations, industry, and state, Tribal, territorial and local governments to support EPA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and HUD in national awareness-raising efforts. | By September 1, 2026 | In Progress National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week will occur from October 25 - 31, 2026. |
| 3.1 | Facilitate a national webinar on EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule and Lead Disclosure Rule for the real estate industry to better clarify their responsibilities. | By October 2026 | In Progress On April 30, 2026, EPA met with the National Association of Realtors. EPA is continuing to develop a national webinar. |
| 3.1 | Analyze EPA-Tribal Environmental Plans (ETEPs) entered in General Assistance Program (GAP) Hub (approximately 40% of Tribes) and identify tribes with priority lead concerns identified in their ETEPs to gain an understanding of what efforts Tribes currently have underway to address lead exposure and risks. | By FY 2027 Q1 | In Progress |
| 3.1 | Publish at least one case study on the conversion of an existing building into a new residential use (adaptive reuse). | By September 30, 2026 | In Progress |
| 3.1 | Host one private sector forum on the conversion of existing buildings to new residential uses (adaptive reuse) where lead and other environmental hazards are present. | By June 30, 2026 | Completed |
| 3.2 | Host a tribal workshop on lead risks, regulations, remediation, and available resources to support tribes in addressing contamination and administering lead programs. | By FY 2027 Q1 | In Progress |
| 3.2 | Complete one or more tools on best practices for lead pollution reduction in low- and middle-income countries to encourage global reductions in lead use and in import of lead-containing products into the US. Recruit authors and reviewers for tools within EPA. | By the end of FY 2026 | In Progress |
| 3.2 | Publish new and expanded data and data visualization tools on lead in America’s Children and the Environment tool, in response to recommendations from the Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee. | By the end of FY 2026 | Completed View the Lead and Children's Health StoryMap. |
Goal 4: Support & Conduct Research to Inform Efforts to Reduce Lead Exposures & Related Health Risks
Objectives
4.1: Prioritize and Address the Critical Research and Data Needs that Inform Lead Policies and Guide Decision-making
| Objective | Milestone | Deadline | Midyear Status Update |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1 |
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| 4.1 | Conduct field testing of innovative, no-dig technologies for lead service line identification to reduce lead in drinking water distribution systems. | By Fall 2026 | In Progress |