Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead Risk Assessor Practice Exam

In which circumstance should lead dust not be sampled?

1. When the surface is intact

2. When repairs are being made

3. When the dwelling is unoccupied

4. When the surface is extremely damaged

The correct answer is: When the surface is extremely damaged

Sampling lead dust is primarily concerned with assessing potential lead exposure risks in environments where lead-based paint may be present. When the surface is extremely damaged, it is likely that deteriorating lead-based materials have released lead dust into the environment. In such situations, attempting to sample lead dust may not provide accurate results because the dust is already spread and contaminated throughout the area, making it challenging to isolate specific lead levels or determine the sources of contamination. Additionally, damage can create an unsafe environment, with potential risks for exposure during the sampling process itself. Proper protocols generally advocate for controlling and removing hazards before conducting sampling to ensure a safe and representative analysis. Thus, conducting lead dust sampling in the presence of extreme surface damage would not only be less effective but also potentially hazardous for anyone involved in the assessment.