Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead Risk Assessor Practice Exam

How is the loading of lead in dust typically measured?

1. Wipe sampling

2. Vacuum sampling

3. Both wipe and vacuum sampling

4. Visual inspection

The correct answer is: Vacuum sampling

Lead loading in dust is typically measured using vacuum sampling. This method involves the use of a vacuum device equipped with a specific filter to collect dust samples from surfaces. The vacuum sampler draws in air and particles, including lead-contaminated dust, allowing for the quantification of lead levels present on surfaces. This is an effective way to assess lead exposure risk in environments where lead may be present, as it facilitates the collection of a representative dust sample, which can be analyzed in a laboratory. While wipe sampling is also a known technique for measuring lead loading and is effective for certain applications, vacuum sampling provides a more comprehensive approach to capturing dust from various surface types, especially in larger areas or those with accumulated dust. Visual inspection alone is insufficient for measuring lead loading since it does not quantify lead concentrations and merely provides a qualitative assessment of dust presence.