Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Model Lead Based Paint Risk Assessor Practice Test

From which surfaces should dust samples be separated for testing?

1. Carpeted and tiled surfaces

2. Wooden and metal surfaces

3. Carpeted and hard surfaces

4. Only tiled surfaces

The correct answer is: Carpeted and hard surfaces

Dust samples should be separated for testing based on the type of surfaces they are collected from, specifically carpeted and hard surfaces. This is crucial because different surfaces can have varying amounts of lead dust due to different rates of lead paint deterioration, wear and tear, and cleaning practices. Carpeted surfaces often retain dust that contains lead particles, making it essential to assess them separately from hard surfaces, which may exhibit lead dust that can easily become airborne or settle onto other surfaces. By separating samples from these two distinct types of surfaces, risk assessors can better understand potential lead contamination levels and develop appropriate remediation strategies. This approach ensures that all potential sources of lead exposure are evaluated accurately, leading to more effective public health protection measures. Other surface combinations, like wooden and metal or only tiled surfaces, do not provide the same comprehensive assessment needed for evaluating lead dust exposure risks, which is why focusing on carpeted and hard surfaces specifically is key for accurate testing and assessment.