EPA Lead Inspector | Expert
Strategies, Review of Key
Quizzes, and Practice
Questions for Guaranteed
Success.
This EPA Lead Inspector Certification Exam is a rigorous, 111-
question multiple-choice test designed to certify proficiency in
identifying lead-based paint hazards. Practice exams focus on XRF
machine operation, dust/soil sampling, HUD guidelines, and
regulatory compliance,
Key Topics Covered in this Practice Exams
Inspection Procedures: Methods for testing lead paint
using XRF machines and paint chip sampling.
Sample Collection: Techniques for gathering dust wipes
(window sills/floors) and soil samples for lab analysis.
Regulation Knowledge: Familiarity with HUD and EPA
guidelines for pre-1978 housing.
Hazard Identification: Identifying, interpreting, and
documenting lead hazards.
Exam Structure and Content
Format: 115 multiple-choice questions with four
alternatives, covering core knowledge, safety, and protocols.
Pass Rate: Generally, requires a 70% score or higher, often
requiring separate passing scores for different sections.
1
, Key Areas: Lead-based paint identification, dust sample
clearance values, and soil regulation.
Preparation Resources
Environmental Education Associates: Offers Lead Risk
Assessor/Inspector practice quizzes.
Study Guides: Review the California Department of Public
Health (CDPH) study guide.
Quiz_________________?
Lead-based paint (LBP) -
Answer✅
Any varnish, shallac, or coating that contains either- 1.0 mg/cm2 -
0.5 % by weight - 5000 ppm - Older instruments could not read
accurately at 0.7, so the lead standard was updated to 1.0
Quiz_________________?
Dust sample clearance values -
Answer✅
- Floors: 40 μg/ft2 > 10 μg/ft2 (10 μg/ft2 in NY) - Windows: 250
μg/ft2 > 100 μg/ft2 (50 μg/ft2 in NY) - Window wells (troughs):
400 μg/ft2 (100 μg/ft2 in NY) - Samples must be at 1 sq ft > 2 sq
ft (can be reduced to 1 sq ft if within 10 μg)
Quiz_________________?
EPA Soil Regulations -
Answer✅
2
, - 400 ppm for playgrounds/children's areas - 1200 ppm for rest of
yard - There must be 9 sq ft of soil to classify with soil testing - At
5000 ppm, MUST remediate/abate (remove & replace, paving, or
bioremediation)
Quiz_________________?
Lab sampling technique -
Answer✅
- AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrometry) - Sample is placed into a
furnace and vaporized ... light is shone through to give a
quantitative result
Quiz_________________?
XRF -
Answer✅
- X-ray fluorescence - Utilizes radioactive isotopes (unstable
material trying to reach stability) - Cobalt-57 (half-life of 9
months) and cadmium-109 (half-life of 15 months) are the two
sources (where radiation originates) - Emits gamma rays but will
read X-rays (backscatters) - Ionizing radiation from the removal of
electrons due to interactions with radiation
Quiz_________________?
LBP Hazard -
Answer✅
3
, ANY condition that causes exposure to lead
Quiz_________________?
LBP inspection -
Answer✅
a surface-by-surface investigation to determine the presence of
lead
Quiz_________________?
CPSC -
Answer✅
- Consumer Product Safety Commission - Set a lead paint
standard: cannot contain 0.06% lead by weight ... updated to
0.009% - The commission banned lead-based paint in 1978
Quiz_________________?
True/False: Dust sampling only done for hazard assessments -
Answer✅
True; only risk assessors take samples to determine likelihood of
coming into contact with contaminants
Quiz_________________?
4
Strategies, Review of Key
Quizzes, and Practice
Questions for Guaranteed
Success.
This EPA Lead Inspector Certification Exam is a rigorous, 111-
question multiple-choice test designed to certify proficiency in
identifying lead-based paint hazards. Practice exams focus on XRF
machine operation, dust/soil sampling, HUD guidelines, and
regulatory compliance,
Key Topics Covered in this Practice Exams
Inspection Procedures: Methods for testing lead paint
using XRF machines and paint chip sampling.
Sample Collection: Techniques for gathering dust wipes
(window sills/floors) and soil samples for lab analysis.
Regulation Knowledge: Familiarity with HUD and EPA
guidelines for pre-1978 housing.
Hazard Identification: Identifying, interpreting, and
documenting lead hazards.
Exam Structure and Content
Format: 115 multiple-choice questions with four
alternatives, covering core knowledge, safety, and protocols.
Pass Rate: Generally, requires a 70% score or higher, often
requiring separate passing scores for different sections.
1
, Key Areas: Lead-based paint identification, dust sample
clearance values, and soil regulation.
Preparation Resources
Environmental Education Associates: Offers Lead Risk
Assessor/Inspector practice quizzes.
Study Guides: Review the California Department of Public
Health (CDPH) study guide.
Quiz_________________?
Lead-based paint (LBP) -
Answer✅
Any varnish, shallac, or coating that contains either- 1.0 mg/cm2 -
0.5 % by weight - 5000 ppm - Older instruments could not read
accurately at 0.7, so the lead standard was updated to 1.0
Quiz_________________?
Dust sample clearance values -
Answer✅
- Floors: 40 μg/ft2 > 10 μg/ft2 (10 μg/ft2 in NY) - Windows: 250
μg/ft2 > 100 μg/ft2 (50 μg/ft2 in NY) - Window wells (troughs):
400 μg/ft2 (100 μg/ft2 in NY) - Samples must be at 1 sq ft > 2 sq
ft (can be reduced to 1 sq ft if within 10 μg)
Quiz_________________?
EPA Soil Regulations -
Answer✅
2
, - 400 ppm for playgrounds/children's areas - 1200 ppm for rest of
yard - There must be 9 sq ft of soil to classify with soil testing - At
5000 ppm, MUST remediate/abate (remove & replace, paving, or
bioremediation)
Quiz_________________?
Lab sampling technique -
Answer✅
- AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrometry) - Sample is placed into a
furnace and vaporized ... light is shone through to give a
quantitative result
Quiz_________________?
XRF -
Answer✅
- X-ray fluorescence - Utilizes radioactive isotopes (unstable
material trying to reach stability) - Cobalt-57 (half-life of 9
months) and cadmium-109 (half-life of 15 months) are the two
sources (where radiation originates) - Emits gamma rays but will
read X-rays (backscatters) - Ionizing radiation from the removal of
electrons due to interactions with radiation
Quiz_________________?
LBP Hazard -
Answer✅
3
, ANY condition that causes exposure to lead
Quiz_________________?
LBP inspection -
Answer✅
a surface-by-surface investigation to determine the presence of
lead
Quiz_________________?
CPSC -
Answer✅
- Consumer Product Safety Commission - Set a lead paint
standard: cannot contain 0.06% lead by weight ... updated to
0.009% - The commission banned lead-based paint in 1978
Quiz_________________?
True/False: Dust sampling only done for hazard assessments -
Answer✅
True; only risk assessors take samples to determine likelihood of
coming into contact with contaminants
Quiz_________________?
4
