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

What is the typical method for testing paint chips?

1. Infrared spectroscopy

2. Sand blasting

3. Liquid chromatography

4. Microscopic analysis

The correct answer is: Sand blasting

The typical method for testing paint chips involves the use of specific analytical techniques that can accurately identify the presence of lead and other hazardous materials. Sand blasting is not a standard technique for testing paint; in fact, it is primarily used for surface preparation or removal rather than as an analytical method. The correct approach for evaluating paint chips generally encompasses laboratory tests that provide quantifiable data on the lead content. Techniques such as infrared spectroscopy, liquid chromatography, and microscopic analysis are more aligned with methods used in environmental assessments, but they do not directly involve the analysis of paint chips in the typical manner one might expect for detecting lead presence. Infrared spectroscopy can identify organic compounds and some inorganic materials, while liquid chromatography focuses on separating and analyzing samples based on their chemical properties, neither of which directly addresses lead testing in paint chip samples without prior sample processing. Microscopy is important for observing paint layers and compositions but does not provide a direct measurement of lead content. Overall, when testing paint chips, particularly for lead, the methodology often includes techniques like X-ray fluorescence (XRF), which directly measures lead levels in paint samples without the destruction of the specimen.