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

Which hobby is known to potentially expose individuals to lead?

1. Photography

2. Painting

3. Gardening

4. Stained glass making

The correct answer is: Stained glass making

Stained glass making is known to potentially expose individuals to lead due to the materials commonly used in the process. In traditional stained glass techniques, lead came—the strips of lead that hold the pieces of glass together—is often employed. When working with stained glass, artists may be handling lead directly, which can lead to lead dust or shavings that can contaminate their workspace or be ingested or inhaled if proper safety precautions are not observed. Moreover, lead is sometimes present in the solder used to join pieces of glass, further increasing the risk of exposure. Because individuals engaged in stained glass making usually work in close proximity to these materials, it is important for them to be aware of lead safety protocols, including wearing protective gear and ensuring proper ventilation in their workspace. Other hobbies listed, while they may have their own risks, do not typically involve direct exposure to lead in the same manner. For example, photography mainly involves exposure to light-sensitive materials, painting can involve hazardous chemicals but not necessarily lead, and while gardening may involve soil contamination from lead-based products, it is not a direct or primary exposure pathway like that found in stained glass making.