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1. What percentage of a child's lead exposure can come from drinking water?
A.5%
B.10%
C.20% - Correct Answer:
D.35%
Approximately 20% of a child's total lead exposure can come from drinking water
— particularly in homes with lead solder in plumbing joints or lead service lines.
For bottle-fed infants, this percentage can be even higher since formula is mixed
with tap water.
2. What areas in a waterline produce the highest lead levels in drinking water?
A. New copper pipe sections
B. PVC joints and fittings
C. Poorly soldered joints where brass fittings are located - Correct Answer:
D. Plastic supply lines at the meter
Poorly soldered joints — especially where brass fittings are used — are the
primary source of lead leaching into drinking water. Lead solder (used in pre-1986
,plumbing) and brass components both contribute lead, particularly in stagnant or
corrosive water conditions.
3
What water conditions are most corrosive toward lead in plumbing systems?
A Cold, alkaline, and hard water
B Neutral pH, low temperature water
C Hot, acidic, and soft water - Correct Answer:
D Chlorinated, high-pressure water
Hot, acidic (low pH), and soft (low mineral content) water is most corrosive to lead
plumbing. Soft water lacks the buffering minerals (like calcium) that form a
protective scale on pipe walls; acid and heat accelerate the dissolution of lead
from solder and fittings.
4. What are the main causes of lead contamination in air?
A Diesel exhaust and outdoor cooking
B Natural soil erosion and volcanic activity
C Gas combustion, stationary emission sources, smelters, and battery factories
D Household cleaning products and aerosol sprays
Lead becomes airborne from: combustion of leaded fuel (historical but still
relevant near older equipment), industrial stationary sources (power plants,
incinerators), metal smelters, and battery manufacturing facilities — all releasing
lead particulates into the atmosphere.
5. What activities cause very high concentrations of lead dust and fumes?
,A Wet sanding and chemical stripping
B Interior painting and wallpaper removal
C Abrasive/sandblasting of lead-painted surfaces and burning lead-painted steel
- Correct Answer:
D Sweeping and dry-mopping painted floors
Abrasive blasting (sandblasting) of lead-painted surfaces and burning/torch-
cutting lead-painted steel generate the highest concentrations of lead dust and
fumes. Both require full respiratory protection (SCBA or supplied air) and full
containment as per OSHA 1926.62 and CAL OSHA Title 8 CCR 1532.1.
6. Where does lead in food typically come from?
A. Natural lead deposits in agricultural soil only
B. Food processing equipment made of stainless steel
C. Containers with solder, crystal glassware, pewter, ceramic glaze, and cookware -
Correct Answer:
D. Refrigeration and freezing of food products
Lead enters food from leaded solder in food cans, lead crystal glassware
(particularly with acidic beverages), pewter serving ware, ceramic glazes
(improperly fired), and some cookware. Acidic foods and beverages accelerate
lead leaching from these sources.
7. How is lead eliminated from the body?
A. Rapidly through liver metabolism within 24 hours
B. Only through sweat during exercise
C. Slowly by the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract - Correct Answer:
, D. Primarily through the lungs as exhaled compounds
Lead is eliminated slowly — primarily through the kidneys (via urine) and the
gastrointestinal tract (via feces). The half-life of lead in blood is approximately 25–
35 days, but lead stored in bone can remain for decades and re-mobilize into the
bloodstream.
8. How do very small amounts of lead leave the body?
A. Through hair and nail growth
B. Through exhaled breath
C. Through sweat - Correct Answer:
D. Through tears
Very small amounts of lead are excreted through sweat — though this is a minor
elimination route compared to renal and GI pathways. It is not a significant or
reliable method of detoxification but is worth noting for comprehensive
understanding of lead metabolism.
9. What is the most common way children develop lead poisoning?
A. Drinking contaminated water directly from the tap
B. Breathing in lead fumes from nearby industry
C. Ingesting lead dust through hand-to-mouth activities- Correct Answer:
D. Absorbing lead through skin contact with paint
Hand-to-mouth behavior is the most common exposure pathway for children.
Children touch lead-dust-contaminated surfaces (floors, window sills, toys) and
then put their hands in their mouths, ingesting the lead dust. This is why floor
cleaning and hand washing are critical prevention measures.