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

What should the owner do if deteriorated paint with lead is found above the standards?

1. Paint over the affected area

2. Engage in measures to reduce human exposure to lead-based paint hazards

3. Wait for further inspection

4. Ignore the findings

The correct answer is: Engage in measures to reduce human exposure to lead-based paint hazards

When lead-based paint is found to be deteriorated and above acceptable safety standards, the appropriate action is to engage in measures to reduce human exposure to lead-based paint hazards. This is critical because lead poses significant health risks, particularly to young children and pregnant women, as exposure can lead to severe developmental and intellectual disabilities. Addressing the hazard directly through remediation and hazard reduction measures ensures that the source of exposure is managed effectively. This could involve methods such as removing the lead-based paint, encapsulating it, or implementing other safety measures to prevent lead dust and chips from contaminating the living environment. Simply painting over the affected area would not effectively mitigate the risk, as the underlying problem (the lead paint) would still exist and potentially continue to pose a hazard. Waiting for further inspection or ignoring the findings would also be negligent, as it leaves the risk unaddressed and exposes occupants to potential health issues linked to lead exposure. Therefore, taking proactive measures to address the findings is the responsible and necessary action to safeguard human health.