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EPA Lead Project Designer study materials
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EPA Lead Project Designer practice questions

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Question 1Regulatory framework and program requirements

Under the federal lead-based paint program, which statute provides the core authority for regulating lead-based paint activities in target housing and child-occupied facilities?

  1. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
  2. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
  3. The Safe Drinking Water Act
  4. The Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended by the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 Correct answer.

Explanation

Title X of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 amended TSCA, adding section 402, which directs EPA to regulate lead-based paint activities and accredit training providers. The other statutes govern air, drinking water, and waste, not lead-based paint abatement training and certification.

Question 2Regulatory framework and program requirements

Which residential units are considered 'target housing' for purposes of the lead-based paint regulations?

  1. Any commercial building constructed before 1978
  2. Housing constructed before 1978, with certain statutorily excluded categories Correct answer.
  3. All housing regardless of construction date
  4. Only federally owned housing constructed after 1978

Explanation

Target housing is defined as housing constructed prior to 1978, subject to specific exclusions such as housing for the elderly or disabled (unless a child under six resides there) and zero-bedroom dwellings. The 1978 date reflects the year the federal lead-based paint ban took effect.

Question 3Regulatory framework and program requirements

A property manager operates a pre-1978 building where a licensed child care center serves children under age six. How is the child care space treated under the lead-based paint program?

  1. It is regulated only under the Clean Air Act
  2. It is exempt because it is not residential housing
  3. It qualifies as a child-occupied facility subject to the lead-based paint activities regulations Correct answer.
  4. It is exempt because the operator is not the property owner

Explanation

A child-occupied facility is a building or portion of a building, constructed before 1978, visited regularly by the same child under age six, such as a child care center. Such facilities are covered alongside target housing regardless of who operates them.

Question 4Regulatory framework and program requirements

Which federal agency administers the accreditation of lead-based paint training programs and the certification of individuals?

  1. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  2. The Environmental Protection Agency Correct answer.
  3. The Consumer Product Safety Commission
  4. The Department of Housing and Urban Development alone

Explanation

EPA administers the section 402 program, accrediting training providers and certifying individuals who perform lead-based paint activities. HUD and OSHA have related roles but do not run this accreditation and certification program.

Question 5Regulatory framework and program requirements

An individual wants to perform lead-based paint abatement for compensation. What credential does the federal program generally require?

  1. A real estate sales license
  2. Certification by an accredited training program and, where applicable, state certification Correct answer.
  3. Membership in a trade association
  4. A state general contractor license only

Explanation

Individuals performing lead-based paint activities must complete an accredited training course and obtain certification, and in states with authorized programs, state certification is required. General contractor or trade credentials do not substitute for this certification.

Question 6Regulatory framework and program requirements

Which of the following is a recognized discipline for which the lead-based paint program offers individual certification?

  1. Home inspector
  2. Insurance adjuster
  3. Real estate appraiser
  4. Project designer Correct answer.

Explanation

The program certifies individuals in disciplines including inspector, risk assessor, abatement worker, supervisor, and project designer. Project designers plan abatement and hazard control activities for larger projects.

Question 7Regulatory framework and program requirements

What is the primary function of a certified lead-based paint project designer?

  1. Collecting dust wipe samples for laboratory analysis
  2. Designing abatement and hazard control activities and writing the project specifications Correct answer.
  3. Conducting clearance examinations after abatement
  4. Performing the on-site abatement work alongside workers

Explanation

The project designer develops the abatement plan, specifications, and hazard control strategy for a project. Clearance and sampling are performed by other certified disciplines such as risk assessors and inspectors.

Question 8Regulatory framework and program requirements

A state has obtained EPA authorization to administer its own lead-based paint program. What is the general effect on the federal program in that state?

  1. The state program applies only to commercial buildings
  2. Both federal and state certifications must be obtained separately
  3. The state program operates in lieu of the federal program for covered activities Correct answer.
  4. The federal program continues unchanged and the state program is advisory only

Explanation

When EPA authorizes a state program, the state administers the requirements for covered activities in place of the federal program. Individuals and firms obtain state credentials rather than duplicate federal ones.

Question 9Regulatory framework and program requirements

Which training requirement must be met before an individual can be certified as a lead-based paint project designer?

  1. Completion of an accredited project designer course and any required refresher training Correct answer.
  2. A real estate broker license
  3. A four-year engineering degree
  4. Ten years of construction experience

Explanation

Certification requires successful completion of an accredited training course for the discipline, plus refresher training to maintain certification. Formal degrees or a set number of years of experience are not the federal standard.

Question 10Regulatory framework and program requirements

How long is an individual's lead-based paint certification generally valid before refresher training is required?

  1. Three years Correct answer.
  2. One year
  3. Five years
  4. Ten years

Explanation

Certifications are typically valid for a three-year period, after which the individual must complete an accredited refresher course to remain certified. Shorter or longer intervals do not match the standard renewal cycle.

Question 11Regulatory framework and program requirements

Which entity must be accredited in order for its lead-based paint training course to count toward individual certification?

  1. The local building department
  2. An EPA-accredited or authorized-state-accredited training provider Correct answer.
  3. The property owner
  4. The employer of the trainee

Explanation

Only courses delivered by an accredited training provider count toward certification. Accreditation is granted by EPA or by an authorized state program.

Question 12Regulatory framework and program requirements

A firm that performs lead-based paint abatement for compensation must generally do which of the following under the federal program?

  1. Register with the local fire marshal
  2. Obtain firm certification from EPA or an authorized state Correct answer.
  3. Post a surety bond with the state treasury
  4. Join a national abatement contractors association

Explanation

Firms performing lead-based paint activities must be certified, in addition to employing certified individuals. Firm certification is separate from individual certification.

Question 13Regulatory framework and program requirements

Which work practice standard applies to lead-based paint activities in target housing and child-occupied facilities under the federal program?

  1. Local zoning ordinances
  2. The work practice standards established under the lead-based paint activities regulations Correct answer.
  3. OSHA's general industry housekeeping rules alone
  4. The Clean Water Act stormwater rules

Explanation

The lead-based paint activities regulations set work practice standards for inspections, risk assessments, abatement, and related activities. Other rules may apply concurrently but do not substitute for these standards.

Question 14Regulatory framework and program requirements

Which document must a certified firm or individual generally provide to the occupant before conducting lead-based paint activities in target housing?

  1. A copy of the local building code
  2. A warranty that no lead hazards exist
  3. A property tax assessment
  4. An informational pamphlet on lead hazards and disclosure of planned activities Correct answer.

Explanation

Occupants must receive the EPA pamphlet on lead hazards, and the scope of planned activities is communicated before work begins. Warranties about hazard absence are not part of the requirement.

Question 15Regulatory framework and program requirements

Which of the following best describes the relationship between the lead-based paint activities regulations and the lead disclosure rule for real estate transactions?

  1. They are the same rule covering identical activities
  2. They are distinct requirements addressing abatement activities versus property sale and lease disclosure Correct answer.
  3. The activities regulations apply only to commercial property sales
  4. The disclosure rule supersedes the activities regulations

Explanation

The lead-based paint activities program governs training, certification, and work practices, while the disclosure rule requires sellers and landlords to disclose known lead hazards and provide the pamphlet. They are separate but complementary requirements.

Question 16Regulatory framework and program requirements

Which of the following is a recognized lead-based paint activity under the federal program?

  1. Property appraisal
  2. Home staging
  3. Mortgage underwriting
  4. Risk assessment Correct answer.

Explanation

Recognized lead-based paint activities include inspection, risk assessment, abatement, and related activities performed by certified individuals. Financial and real estate services are outside this framework.

Question 17Regulatory framework and program requirements

An abatement project in target housing is being planned. Which certified discipline is responsible for developing the abatement plan and specifications?

  1. Risk assessor
  2. Abatement worker
  3. Clearance examiner
  4. Project designer Correct answer.

Explanation

The project designer develops the abatement plan, specifications, and hazard control strategy. Workers execute the plan, and risk assessors evaluate hazards and clearance.

Question 18Regulatory framework and program requirements

Which statement about the scope of the federal lead-based paint program is accurate?

  1. It applies only to rental properties
  2. It applies only to federally assisted housing
  3. It applies to target housing and child-occupied facilities regardless of federal funding Correct answer.
  4. It applies only to housing built after 1978

Explanation

The section 402 program covers target housing and child-occupied facilities generally, not just federally assisted or rental units. The pre-1978 construction date, not funding source or tenure, defines coverage.

Question 19Regulatory framework and program requirements

What must a certified individual do to maintain certification after the initial validity period expires?

  1. Submit a new application with no training
  2. Retake the full initial course
  3. Pass a federal written examination only
  4. Complete an accredited refresher course for the discipline Correct answer.

Explanation

Renewal requires completing an accredited refresher course in the discipline before the certification lapses. Retaking the entire initial course is not the standard renewal path.

Question 20Regulatory framework and program requirements

A certified project designer is preparing specifications for a pre-1978 multifamily building. Which consideration is most directly within the designer's regulatory responsibility?

  1. Determining the occupant's rent obligation
  2. Issuing the certificate of occupancy
  3. Setting the property's resale price
  4. Selecting abatement methods and hazard control measures appropriate to the building Correct answer.

Explanation

The designer selects abatement methods and hazard control measures and incorporates them into project specifications. Rent, occupancy certificates, and pricing are outside the designer's role.

Question 21Regulatory framework and program requirements

Which of the following best explains why the pre-1978 date is used to define target housing?

  1. It marks the year the Clean Air Act was passed
  2. It marks the year lead was banned from residential paint Correct answer.
  3. It marks the year OSHA was established
  4. It marks the year the EPA was created

Explanation

The 1978 date reflects the federal ban on lead in residential paint, so pre-1978 housing is presumed more likely to contain lead-based paint. The other dates relate to unrelated agencies and statutes.

Question 22Regulatory framework and program requirements

Which situation would most likely require a certified project designer rather than only an abatement supervisor?

  1. A routine dust wipe clearance
  2. A small interim control job with no written specifications
  3. A large abatement project requiring a written abatement plan and specifications Correct answer.
  4. A single-room repainting task

Explanation

Complex abatement projects require a written plan and specifications, which is the project designer's function. Smaller tasks may be handled by a supervisor without a separate design document.

Question 23Regulatory framework and program requirements

Which of the following is a key difference between an authorized state program and the federal program?

  1. The state program may impose its own certification requirements in place of the federal ones Correct answer.
  2. The state program is limited to disclosure obligations
  3. The state program applies only to commercial buildings
  4. The state program cannot require training

Explanation

An authorized state program administers its own certification and work practice requirements for covered activities in place of the federal program. It is not limited to commercial buildings or disclosure duties.

Question 24Regulatory framework and program requirements

A certified firm is hired to abate lead-based paint in a pre-1978 child care center. Which requirement most directly applies to the firm under the federal program?

  1. The firm must be certified and must use certified individuals Correct answer.
  2. Only the individual workers need certification; the firm needs none
  3. The firm must notify the Consumer Product Safety Commission
  4. The firm must obtain a federal grant before starting

Explanation

Both firm certification and the use of certified individuals are required for covered lead-based paint activities. Firm certification is independent of individual certification.

Question 25Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

Which organ system is most commonly affected by chronic low-level lead exposure in adults?

  1. The lower gastrointestinal tract
  2. The renal collecting system
  3. The thyroid gland
  4. The central and peripheral nervous systems Correct answer.

Explanation

Lead is a neurotoxicant that accumulates in soft tissue and bone and damages both the central and peripheral nervous systems, producing cognitive slowing, fatigue, and peripheral neuropathy. Other organs are affected, but neurotoxicity is the hallmark of chronic exposure.

Question 26Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

In children, what is the primary route of lead exposure that triggers elevated blood lead levels?

  1. Absorption through intact skin
  2. Ingestion of lead-contaminated dust and paint chips Correct answer.
  3. Ingestion of contaminated drinking water only
  4. Inhalation of radon gas

Explanation

Young children exhibit hand-to-mouth behavior and frequently ingest lead-contaminated house dust, soil, and deteriorated paint chips; this ingestion pathway dominates childhood exposure. Dermal absorption of inorganic lead is negligible.

Question 27Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

Which blood lead level in a child is generally used to define an elevated blood lead level requiring case management under current CDC guidance?

  1. 3.5 micrograms per deciliter Correct answer.
  2. 10 micrograms per deciliter
  3. 40 micrograms per deciliter
  4. 25 micrograms per deciliter

Explanation

CDC's blood lead reference value is 3.5 micrograms per deciliter, based on the 97.5th percentile of the U.S. population aged 1 to 5. Values at or above this level prompt case management.

Question 28Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

A child with severe lead poisoning may present with which classic combination of symptoms?

  1. Cough, wheezing, and hemoptysis
  2. Abdominal pain, constipation, and encephalopathy Correct answer.
  3. Polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss
  4. Joint swelling, rash, and fever

Explanation

Severe pediatric lead poisoning classically produces gastrointestinal colic and constipation, and at very high levels can cause lead encephalopathy with altered mental status, seizures, and coma. This triad reflects the gastrointestinal and neurologic effects of lead.

Question 29Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

Which of the following is a recognized adverse effect of lead exposure on the hematopoietic system?

  1. Stimulation of erythropoietin release
  2. Enhanced hemoglobin oxygen binding
  3. Inhibition of heme synthesis enzymes such as ALAD Correct answer.
  4. Increased red blood cell production

Explanation

Lead inhibits delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) and ferrochelatase, disrupting heme synthesis and producing anemia. This is a well-established hematologic effect of lead.

Question 30Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

What is the primary mechanism by which lead causes developmental neurotoxicity in young children?

  1. It disrupts neurotransmitter release and neuronal development Correct answer.
  2. It blocks oxygen delivery by forming carboxyhemoglobin
  3. It dissolves myelin sheaths through an acidic effect
  4. It causes direct bacterial infection of the brain

Explanation

Lead interferes with calcium-dependent neurotransmitter release, synaptic formation, and neuronal migration, impairing brain development. These effects can occur at low blood lead levels without overt symptoms.

Question 31Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

A renovator is working in a pre-1978 home and observes chalky, deteriorating paint on window sills. Which hazard recognition concept best describes the risk this presents?

  1. Formaldehyde off-gassing hazard
  2. Asbestos fiber release hazard
  3. Radon gas accumulation hazard
  4. Lead dust and paint chip ingestion hazard Correct answer.

Explanation

Deteriorating lead-based paint on friction surfaces such as window sills generates lead dust and paint chips, which are primary sources of childhood lead exposure. Recognition of this condition is central to lead hazard evaluation.

Question 32Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

Which population is at greatest risk for lead-induced hypertension and kidney damage from occupational exposure?

  1. Adolescents in school settings
  2. Infants under six months
  3. Pregnant women in the first trimester
  4. Adults with prolonged occupational exposure Correct answer.

Explanation

Chronic occupational exposure in adults is associated with hypertension and nephrotoxicity, including reduced glomerular filtration. These effects are linked to cumulative dose over years of exposure.

Question 33Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

A project designer is evaluating a child-occupied facility built in 1965. Which finding most strongly indicates a lead-based paint hazard?

  1. Vinyl flooring installed last year
  2. Deteriorated paint on friction and impact surfaces Correct answer.
  3. Newly painted walls in good condition
  4. Non-leaded ceramic tile in the bathroom

Explanation

Deteriorated paint on friction and impact surfaces in a pre-1978 child-occupied facility is a strong indicator of a lead-based paint hazard because these surfaces generate dust and chips. Intact paint is less likely to generate exposure.

Question 34Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

Which environmental sampling method is used to assess lead in settled house dust?

  1. Wipe sampling of defined surface areas Correct answer.
  2. Soil core sampling at depth
  3. Air sampling with a filter cassette
  4. Water sampling after stagnation

Explanation

Dust lead is assessed by wiping a measured surface area and analyzing the wipe for lead loading (mass per area). This quantifies the dust reservoir that children ingest.

Question 35Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

A blood lead test result of 45 micrograms per deciliter in a child most appropriately prompts which action?

  1. Prompt medical evaluation and environmental investigation Correct answer.
  2. No action because the level is below 50
  3. Retesting in one year only
  4. Advising the family to repaint the home themselves

Explanation

A blood lead level of 45 micrograms per deciliter is well above the reference value and warrants prompt medical evaluation and a thorough environmental investigation to identify and control the source. Clinical management and source control are both indicated.

Question 36Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

Which of the following best explains why lead exposure is more harmful to the developing fetus than to an adult?

  1. The fetal nervous system is rapidly developing and more vulnerable Correct answer.
  2. The placenta completely blocks lead transfer
  3. The fetus has a larger blood volume
  4. Fetal kidneys excrete lead more efficiently

Explanation

Lead crosses the placenta, and the rapidly developing fetal nervous system is especially vulnerable to disruption of neuronal development. This makes prenatal exposure a significant concern even at low maternal blood lead levels.

Question 37Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

A homeowner reports that a child has been chewing on window sills painted with deteriorated paint. Which hazard recognition term best describes this exposure pathway?

  1. Inhalation of lead fumes
  2. Dermal absorption of lead dust
  3. Pica-related ingestion of lead paint chips Correct answer.
  4. Ingestion of lead-contaminated groundwater

Explanation

Chewing on painted surfaces reflects pica, the compulsive ingestion of nonfood items, and is a recognized pathway for lead paint chip ingestion in children. This behavior substantially increases risk when paint is deteriorated.

Question 38Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

Which of the following is a recognized source of lead exposure in drinking water?

  1. Chlorination byproducts in treated water
  2. Fluoride added to municipal water
  3. Lead service lines and lead solder in plumbing Correct answer.
  4. Calcium carbonate scale in pipes

Explanation

Lead service lines, lead solder, and brass fixtures can leach lead into drinking water, especially when water is corrosive or stagnant. Plumbing materials are the principal source of waterborne lead.

Question 39Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

A project designer is assessing a site where bare soil near a pre-1978 home may contain lead from exterior paint and vehicle emissions. Which statement best reflects hazard recognition for soil?

  1. Soil lead only matters if the soil is wet
  2. Bare soil can be a significant lead source for children through ingestion and dust tracking Correct answer.
  3. Soil lead is only a concern in agricultural areas
  4. Soil lead is irrelevant because children do not play outdoors

Explanation

Bare soil contaminated by exterior paint deterioration and historic vehicle emissions can be a major lead source because children ingest soil and track dust indoors. Soil assessment is part of a complete hazard evaluation.

Question 40Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

Which of the following best describes the relationship between blood lead levels and IQ in children?

  1. IQ is unaffected by lead exposure
  2. There is no safe threshold; even low levels are associated with IQ decrements Correct answer.
  3. IQ effects occur only above 40 micrograms per deciliter
  4. IQ effects are protective at low levels

Explanation

Epidemiologic evidence shows an inverse relationship between blood lead levels and IQ in children, with no identified safe threshold. Effects have been observed at levels below the current reference value.

Question 41Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

A physician evaluating a child with abdominal colic and anemia should consider which exposure history element as most relevant to lead poisoning?

  1. Consumption of a high-fiber diet
  2. Participation in organized sports
  3. Recent travel to a high-altitude region
  4. Residence in or frequent visits to a pre-1978 home with deteriorated paint Correct answer.

Explanation

Older housing with deteriorated paint is a classic exposure source for childhood lead poisoning, and abdominal colic with anemia is a recognized clinical presentation. Exposure history should focus on housing age and condition.

Question 42Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

Which of the following best explains why lead exposure is often unrecognized in its early stages?

  1. Lead exposure produces a distinctive rash
  2. Lead exposure causes immediate jaundice
  3. Early lead exposure is frequently asymptomatic Correct answer.
  4. Lead exposure always causes immediate convulsions

Explanation

Low-level lead exposure typically produces no obvious symptoms, so recognition depends on screening and environmental assessment rather than clinical signs. Symptoms appear mainly at higher levels.

Question 43Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

A project designer is asked to evaluate a child-occupied facility for lead hazards. Which combination of factors most strongly suggests a need for further assessment?

  1. Pre-1978 construction, deteriorated paint, and bare soil Correct answer.
  2. A facility with no children under six
  3. Post-2000 construction and intact paint
  4. New construction with vinyl siding

Explanation

The combination of pre-1978 construction, deteriorated paint, and bare soil creates multiple potential lead reservoirs and pathways, warranting further assessment. Each factor independently raises concern.

Question 44Health effects of lead exposure and hazard recognition

Which statement best describes the toxicokinetics of lead in the body relevant to hazard recognition?

  1. Lead is metabolized into a harmless compound
  2. Lead accumulates in bone and can be remobilized later Correct answer.
  3. Lead is rapidly excreted and does not accumulate
  4. Lead is stored primarily in adipose tissue

Explanation

Lead is stored in bone and can be remobilized during periods of increased bone turnover, such as pregnancy or lactation, extending the period of exposure risk. This storage and remobilization is central to understanding long-term hazard.

Question 45Lead hazard evaluation, risk assessment, and inspection data interpretation

Under the EPA lead-based paint program, a risk assessment differs from a paint inspection primarily because a risk assessment focuses on which of the following?

  1. Certifying that a property is free of any lead-containing materials
  2. Determining whether a dwelling has lead-based paint for disclosure purposes
  3. Identifying the presence and location of lead-based paint on every component
  4. Evaluating the potential for current or future lead hazards from paint, dust, and soil Correct answer.

Explanation

A risk assessment evaluates conditions that could cause exposure-deteriorated paint, dust-lead loadings, and soil-lead concentrations-rather than simply locating paint. A paint inspection, by contrast, determines the presence and location of lead-based paint. Risk assessments are used to decide whether hazard controls are needed.

Question 46Lead hazard evaluation, risk assessment, and inspection data interpretation

A certified inspector is testing a painted window component with an XRF analyzer. Which practice best supports reliable readings on this component?

  1. Moving the device slowly to average readings across the surface
  2. Testing through multiple layers of paint to capture the total accumulation
  3. Confirming substrate effects by testing a known unpainted area Correct answer.
  4. Sampling only the topmost paint layer visible to the eye

Explanation

XRF readings can be influenced by the substrate beneath the paint, so testing a known lead-free or unpainted reference area helps the inspector account for substrate bias. Proper surface preparation and consistent dwell time also support accuracy. Readings reflect the paint and substrate together, not just the top layer.

Question 47Lead hazard evaluation, risk assessment, and inspection data interpretation

A dust wipe sample collected from a window sill is reported as 40 micrograms per square foot. This result is best interpreted by comparing it to which reference?

  1. The applicable EPA dust-lead hazard standard for window sills Correct answer.
  2. The lead-based paint definition threshold of 1.0 mg/cm2
  3. The soil-lead hazard standard for play areas
  4. The calibration check value for the laboratory's instrument

Explanation

Dust-lead results are compared with the EPA dust-lead hazard standards, which are expressed separately for floors and interior window sills in micrograms per square foot. Soil standards apply to soil, and the 1.0 mg/cm2 threshold defines lead-based paint, not dust. Laboratory calibration values are quality-control measures, not hazard criteria.

Question 48Lead hazard evaluation, risk assessment, and inspection data interpretation

During a risk assessment of a pre-1978 home, an assessor finds intact paint on a door frame but visible friction wear at the door's edge. What is the most appropriate conclusion?

  1. The worn edge is a friction surface that warrants evaluation as a hazard Correct answer.
  2. The component poses no concern because the paint film is intact overall
  3. The finding should be ignored because only deteriorated paint counts
  4. The door frame must be replaced before the assessment can continue

Explanation

Friction surfaces such as door edges and window channels are recognized as generating dust as painted parts rub together. Wear at these locations is evaluated as a potential hazard even when paint elsewhere is intact. The assessment considers surface type and condition together.

Question 49Lead hazard evaluation, risk assessment, and inspection data interpretation

An inspector collects a soil sample from a bare dirt area beside a drip line. Which sampling approach is most consistent with EPA guidance for assessing soil-lead hazards?

  1. Taking a sample only where paint chips are visibly present
  2. Collecting a single surface scrape from the most visible bare spot
  3. Combining samples from several subplots into one composite for the area Correct answer.
  4. Sampling at a depth of twelve inches to represent underlying soil

Explanation

Soil sampling for lead hazards typically involves collecting subsamples from a defined area and combining them into a composite to represent that area. Sampling only visible chips or a single spot may not represent the exposure area. Surface soil, not deep subsoil, is the relevant exposure medium.

Question 50Lead hazard evaluation, risk assessment, and inspection data interpretation

A laboratory reports a paint chip result in percent by weight. To compare it with the federal definition of lead-based paint, the result must be related to which value?

  1. 10 micrograms per deciliter
  2. 400 parts per million in soil
  3. 1.0 mg/cm2 or 0.5 percent by weight Correct answer.
  4. 15 micrograms per square foot

Explanation

Federal definitions treat paint as lead-based when it contains at least 1.0 mg/cm2 or 0.5 percent lead by weight. A percent-by-weight laboratory result is compared with the 0.5 percent criterion. The other values refer to blood lead, soil, and dust, respectively.