So why is the amount of lead in a painted surface important? Essentially, the lead level of any painted surface determines whether that component can be defined as a “lead based substance”.  According to New Hampshire’s RSA 130:A1 XI. "Lead base substance'' means… (a) When present in a dried film of paint or other coating… (1) The presence of lead equal to or greater than 1.0 milligram of lead per square centimeter of surface area as measured on site by a portable x-ray fluorescence analyzer; Further limits then apply to soils and surface dust. The importance of this definition is quite apparent, a component may have a lead content, but it may be below the regulatory level of 1mg per square cm. The importance of an accurate and detailed report is fairly evident. It may surprise you to know that paint still sold today may have a lead content, but it is below the 1977 Lead Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act regulation which set the maximum allowable level at 0.06% (or 600 parts per million).