HUD regulations do not require clearance if the total amount of paint disturbed by non-abatement work is no more than a small or minimal amount. This area is called de minimis area or de minimis amount. The de minimis areas are areas up to?

• A. 20 square feet on exterior surfaces, 2 square feet in any one interior room or space, 10% of the total surface area on a component with small surface area
• B. 10 square feet exterior surfaces, 1 square foot interior room
• C. 5 square feet exterior surfaces, 5% of total interior surface area
• D. 50 square feet exterior surfaces, 20% of total interior surface area

Answer: (A)

De minimis areas are the small amounts of lead-painted surface disturbance during non-abatement work for which HUD does not require clearance. The thresholds are exterior surfaces up to 20 square feet; interior surfaces up to 2 square feet in any one room or space; and for components with small total surface area, up to 10% of that surface area. These limits ensure only very minor disturbances fall into the de minimis category.

The option that lists 20 square feet for exterior, 2 square feet per interior room, and 10% of total surface area for a small component matches these HUD thresholds exactly, making it the correct choice. Options with different numbers do not align with the HUD de minimis rules.