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

If a homeowner describes a house in good condition, but there are more than 5 areas with poor paint, what is the recommendation?

1. Conduct a full risk assessment

2. Repaint all areas

3. Ignore the areas of concern

4. Conduct a lead hazard screen

The correct answer is: Conduct a full risk assessment

The recommendation to conduct a full risk assessment is warranted because the presence of more than five areas with poor paint suggests a potential lead hazard, particularly if the house was built prior to 1978 when lead-based paint was more commonly used. A full risk assessment involves a systematic evaluation of the property to identify not only the condition of the paint but also the potential for lead dust or chips to pose a risk to occupants, especially children and pregnant women. By conducting a full risk assessment, trained professionals can measure lead levels, assess the condition of the paint, and provide clear guidance on next steps to ensure the safety of the inhabitants. This comprehensive approach is crucial because simply repainting the areas may not address underlying lead hazards, and ignoring the concerns could expose residents to serious health risks associated with lead exposure. In contrast, a lead hazard screen, while useful in certain situations, may not provide the depth of information needed when multiple areas of concern exist, making a full risk assessment the appropriate course of action in this scenario.