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

What is the EPA’s established "safe" drinking water level for Lead as per National Primary Drinking Water regulations?

1. 50 ppb

2. 25 ug/ft2

3. 0.5%

4. 15 ppb

The correct answer is: 15 ppb

The established "safe" drinking water level for lead, according to the EPA's National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, is 15 parts per billion (ppb). This benchmark is in place to protect public health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women, who are at greater risk of adverse health effects from lead exposure. Lead is a toxic metal that can accumulate in the body and cause a variety of health issues, including developmental problems in children and cardiovascular issues in adults. The choice of 15 ppb is based on the understanding that minimizing lead exposure is crucial for maintaining safe drinking water, and this standard reflects extensive research and public health considerations. Levels above this standard can signal the need for action to reduce lead in drinking water to protect community health. In the context of the other provided options, 50 ppb and 25 ug/ft2 are measurements that do not align with drinking water regulations by the EPA for lead, while the percentage of 0.5% does not pertain to lead levels in water but might be relevant in other contexts of lead presence, such as in paint or soil. Hence, these alternatives fail to represent the established safe level for drinking water, which reinforces the appropriateness of the 15 ppb