---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 4854a"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "4854a"
heading: "Testing technologies"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/4854a"
units:
  - "Chapter 63A — Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction"
  - "Subchapter III — Research and Development"
  - "Part 1 — HUD Research"
---

# §4854a. Testing technologies


The [Secretary](/usc/42/4851b.md?p=26), in cooperation with other [Federal agencies](/usc/42/4851b.md?p=8), shall conduct research to—

- (1) develop improved methods for evaluating [lead-based paint hazards](/usc/42/4851b.md?p=15) in housing;
- (2) develop improved methods for reducing [lead-based paint hazards](/usc/42/4851b.md?p=15) in housing;
- (3) develop improved methods for measuring lead in paint films, dust, and soil samples;
- (4) establish performance standards for various detection methods, including spot test kits;
- (5) establish performance standards for [lead-based paint hazard](/usc/42/4851b.md?p=15) [reduction](/usc/42/4851b.md?p=22) methods, including the use of encapsulants;
- (6) establish appropriate cleanup standards;
- (7) evaluate the efficacy of [interim controls](/usc/42/4851b.md?p=13) in various hazard situations;
- (8) evaluate the relative performance of various [abatement](/usc/42/4851b.md?p=1) techniques;
- (9) evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of interim control and [abatement](/usc/42/4851b.md?p=1) strategies; and
- (10) assess the effectiveness of hazard [evaluation](/usc/42/4851b.md?p=6) and [reduction](/usc/42/4851b.md?p=22) activities funded by this chapter.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 102–550, title X, § 1052, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3925.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in par. (10), was in the original “this Act”, meaning title X of Pub. L. 102–550, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3897, known as the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4851 of this title and Tables.