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

What type of testing is conducted after paint chip collection?

1. Soil testing

2. Dust wipe testing

3. Water quality testing

4. Air quality testing

The correct answer is: Dust wipe testing

After paint chip collection, dust wipe testing is conducted to evaluate the presence of lead dust on surfaces within the property. This type of testing is essential because it helps determine whether lead-contaminated dust is present, which can pose a significant risk to individuals, especially children, through ingestion or inhalation. Dust wipe testing provides quantitative data on lead levels that can help in assessing the risk of lead exposure and is often used to inform remediation efforts. It measures the concentration of lead on accessible surfaces and helps indicate whether additional cleaning or lead abatement is necessary to ensure a safe environment. In contrast to dust wipe testing, the other types of testing listed serve different purposes. Soil testing typically assesses lead contamination in outdoor areas, water quality testing evaluates the safety of drinking water, and air quality testing monitors airborne pollutants. While all these tests are important in comprehensive environmental assessments, they are not the immediate follow-up procedures to paint chip collection specific to lead risk assessment from painted surfaces.