The updated Cal/OSHA lead standard was approved on Feb 15, 2024, and is anticipated to go into effect Jan 1, 2025. It will replace the original standard from 1978. Changes to the permissible exposure limit and action level, workplace hygiene practices, as well as medical surveillance were updated in the new standard.

The present permissible exposure limit (PEL) for lead is 50 µg/M₃, as an eight-hour time-weighted average, with an action level of 30 µg/M₃.

The new standard lowers the PEL to 10 µg/M₃, with an action level of 2 µg/M₃ for construction and general industry. For additional information:

https://www.dir.ca.gov/oshsb/documents/Lead-proptxt.pdf

https://www.cal-osha.com/flash-report/cal-osha-finally-gets-the-lead-proposal-out/

https://www.cal-osha.com/flash-report/historic-decision-about-lead/