Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead Risk Assessor Practice Exam

Which regulatory agency sets standards for lead exposure in the workplace?

1. Environmental Protection Agency

2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration

3. Centers for Disease Control

4. Health and Human Services

The correct answer is: Occupational Safety and Health Administration

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the regulatory agency responsible for setting and enforcing standards for lead exposure in the workplace. OSHA's primary goal is to ensure worker safety and health in the United States by establishing regulations that limit permissible lead levels, provide necessary protective measures, and outline proper handling procedures for hazardous substances like lead. The agency has developed specific guidelines which include permissible exposure limits, medical monitoring requirements, and training obligations for employers to minimize lead exposure to workers. By setting these standards, OSHA plays a crucial role in protecting workers from the adverse health effects associated with lead exposure, such as neurological damage and other serious health conditions. Other organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focus more on environmental standards and regulations related to lead contamination in the environment rather than workplace safety. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) primarily conducts research and provides guidance on health-related issues, while the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) oversees various public health programs but does not specifically regulate workplace exposure to lead. Therefore, the responsibility for workplace safety concerning lead exposure specifically falls to OSHA.