EPA RISK ASSESSOR EXAM
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (RATED A+)
Risk Assessment - ANSWERSAn on-site investigation of a residential dwelling for lead-
based paint hazards. Risk assessment includes investigating the age, history,
management and maintenance of the dwelling; conducting a visual assessment,
performing limited environmental sampling, such as dust wipe samples, soil samples,
and deteriorated paint samples, and reporting the results that identify acceptable
abatement and interim control strategies based on specific conditions and the owner's
capabilities.
Inspection - ANSWERSA surface-by-surface investigation for determining the presence
of lead-based paint (and in some cases, sampling for lead in dust and soil) and a report
of the results.
What are 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of composite wipe sampling? -
ANSWERS5-21
Pro: cost, increased surface area per same cost
Con: info on a specific location is lost, laborities need to adopt special handling
procedures
What are the 3 minimum separate composite dust samples to be collected? -
ANSWERSBare floors, window sills and window trough
The 4 minimum rooms that should be sampled for composite dust samples: -
ANSWERSPrinciple play room, kitchen, bedroom of youngest child >6 months of age,
bedroom of next oldest child
For single-surface samples, at least __ to __ dust samples are necessary for evaluating
the hazards in each dwelling. - ANSWERS6-8
What are the two key elements of ongoing monitoring as defined by HUD? -
ANSWERSReevaluations by a certified risk assessor.
Annual visual surveys by the owner.
T/F: Reevaluations are risk assessments, but with more limited soil and dust sampling. -
ANSWERSTrue
,T/F: Soil sampling is usually necessary for reevaluations, because a risk assessor
cannot assess the quality of previously covered area by visual inspection alone. -
ANSWERSFalse. Visual inspection is usually sufficient.
Dust sampling for reevaluatoins usually consists of how many composite samples, one
from ___ and one from ___. - ANSWERS12-6
Dust sampling for reevaluations usually consists of two composite samples, one from
uncarpeted floors and one from the window sill.
Lead-based paint hazard - ANSWERSAny condition that causes exposure to lead from
lead contaminated dust, lead-contaminated soil, deteriorated lead-based paint, or from
lead-based paint present on accessible, friction, or impact surfaces would result in
adverse human health effects.
Primary Prevention - ANSWERSLead-based paint risk assessments and/or inspections
and abatement and/or interim controls in housing before children are lead poisoned.
Secondary Prevention - ANSWERSBlood lead screening programs to identify children
who already have elevated blood lead levels.
Tertiary Prevention - ANSWERSMedical treatment/ management of children to prevent
acute injuries or death from lead poisoning.
What was the purpose of Title X legislation? (4) - ANSWERS2-20
What is the historical importance of Housing Authority Risk Retention Group (HARGG)?
- ANSWERS2-20
What's the difference between a lead inspection and a risk assessment? - ANSWERS2-
20, 3-5
What are the 7 steps of the Risk Assessment process? - ANSWERS1. Obtain
background information
2. Determine the most appropriate evaluation process for the owner's dwelling(s)
3. Schedule the site visit
4. Conduct the evaluation (including visual assessment and environmental sampling)
5. Determine the actual hazards (if any)
6. Identify options for reducing or eliminating these hazards
7. Produce a written report
What are four other types of assessments? - ANSWERS1. Lead hazard screen
2. Combination risk assessment
3. Clearance
4. EBL Child Investigation
, Lead Hazard Screen - ANSWERS2-21
A "negative screen"- a limited set of risk assessment procedures that may act to exempt
a dwelling from the full risk assessment requirements.
Combination Risk Assessment - ANSWERS2-21
EBL Child Investigation - ANSWERS2-21
Title X (199_) - ANSWERS1992. Residential Lead based Paint Hazard Reduction Act
3 Sources of Legal Liability - ANSWERSStatutory law, administrative law, and common
law
LBPPPA (19__) - ANSWERS1971 Lead-based Poisoning Prevention Act
Tort Law - ANSWERSCivil "wrong" or breach of a standard behavior or failure to use
reasonable care for which a court orders a monetary remedy called "damages".
Contract Law - ANSWERSRelates to situations in which a person breaks or "breaches"
a legally enforceable written or oral agreement or contract. Court can order remedies
like monetary damages.
Name 2 examples of liability under Tort Law: - ANSWERSNegligence
Vicarious Liability
Negligence - ANSWERSFailure to fulfill all of your duties/ failure to exercise the
standard of care to which a reasonable Risk Assessor or contractor would adhere.
Vicarious Liability - ANSWERSEmployer is legally responsible for the acts, ommissions
and wrongful behavior (torts) of his/her employees.
Plaintiff needs to prove 4 elements:
1. Act or omission
2. Duty
3. Cause
4. Injury
Indemnification - ANSWERS2-27
What are at least 4 principles risk assessors should follow to avoid legal liability under
tort law? - ANSWERS2-26 E.g. document everything, never say anything is "lead free",
say that a risk assessment only applies to the present status of the property, keep
records
Describe at least four important objectives of the initial property owner contact prior to
conducting risk assessment? - ANSWERS3-18
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (RATED A+)
Risk Assessment - ANSWERSAn on-site investigation of a residential dwelling for lead-
based paint hazards. Risk assessment includes investigating the age, history,
management and maintenance of the dwelling; conducting a visual assessment,
performing limited environmental sampling, such as dust wipe samples, soil samples,
and deteriorated paint samples, and reporting the results that identify acceptable
abatement and interim control strategies based on specific conditions and the owner's
capabilities.
Inspection - ANSWERSA surface-by-surface investigation for determining the presence
of lead-based paint (and in some cases, sampling for lead in dust and soil) and a report
of the results.
What are 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of composite wipe sampling? -
ANSWERS5-21
Pro: cost, increased surface area per same cost
Con: info on a specific location is lost, laborities need to adopt special handling
procedures
What are the 3 minimum separate composite dust samples to be collected? -
ANSWERSBare floors, window sills and window trough
The 4 minimum rooms that should be sampled for composite dust samples: -
ANSWERSPrinciple play room, kitchen, bedroom of youngest child >6 months of age,
bedroom of next oldest child
For single-surface samples, at least __ to __ dust samples are necessary for evaluating
the hazards in each dwelling. - ANSWERS6-8
What are the two key elements of ongoing monitoring as defined by HUD? -
ANSWERSReevaluations by a certified risk assessor.
Annual visual surveys by the owner.
T/F: Reevaluations are risk assessments, but with more limited soil and dust sampling. -
ANSWERSTrue
,T/F: Soil sampling is usually necessary for reevaluations, because a risk assessor
cannot assess the quality of previously covered area by visual inspection alone. -
ANSWERSFalse. Visual inspection is usually sufficient.
Dust sampling for reevaluatoins usually consists of how many composite samples, one
from ___ and one from ___. - ANSWERS12-6
Dust sampling for reevaluations usually consists of two composite samples, one from
uncarpeted floors and one from the window sill.
Lead-based paint hazard - ANSWERSAny condition that causes exposure to lead from
lead contaminated dust, lead-contaminated soil, deteriorated lead-based paint, or from
lead-based paint present on accessible, friction, or impact surfaces would result in
adverse human health effects.
Primary Prevention - ANSWERSLead-based paint risk assessments and/or inspections
and abatement and/or interim controls in housing before children are lead poisoned.
Secondary Prevention - ANSWERSBlood lead screening programs to identify children
who already have elevated blood lead levels.
Tertiary Prevention - ANSWERSMedical treatment/ management of children to prevent
acute injuries or death from lead poisoning.
What was the purpose of Title X legislation? (4) - ANSWERS2-20
What is the historical importance of Housing Authority Risk Retention Group (HARGG)?
- ANSWERS2-20
What's the difference between a lead inspection and a risk assessment? - ANSWERS2-
20, 3-5
What are the 7 steps of the Risk Assessment process? - ANSWERS1. Obtain
background information
2. Determine the most appropriate evaluation process for the owner's dwelling(s)
3. Schedule the site visit
4. Conduct the evaluation (including visual assessment and environmental sampling)
5. Determine the actual hazards (if any)
6. Identify options for reducing or eliminating these hazards
7. Produce a written report
What are four other types of assessments? - ANSWERS1. Lead hazard screen
2. Combination risk assessment
3. Clearance
4. EBL Child Investigation
, Lead Hazard Screen - ANSWERS2-21
A "negative screen"- a limited set of risk assessment procedures that may act to exempt
a dwelling from the full risk assessment requirements.
Combination Risk Assessment - ANSWERS2-21
EBL Child Investigation - ANSWERS2-21
Title X (199_) - ANSWERS1992. Residential Lead based Paint Hazard Reduction Act
3 Sources of Legal Liability - ANSWERSStatutory law, administrative law, and common
law
LBPPPA (19__) - ANSWERS1971 Lead-based Poisoning Prevention Act
Tort Law - ANSWERSCivil "wrong" or breach of a standard behavior or failure to use
reasonable care for which a court orders a monetary remedy called "damages".
Contract Law - ANSWERSRelates to situations in which a person breaks or "breaches"
a legally enforceable written or oral agreement or contract. Court can order remedies
like monetary damages.
Name 2 examples of liability under Tort Law: - ANSWERSNegligence
Vicarious Liability
Negligence - ANSWERSFailure to fulfill all of your duties/ failure to exercise the
standard of care to which a reasonable Risk Assessor or contractor would adhere.
Vicarious Liability - ANSWERSEmployer is legally responsible for the acts, ommissions
and wrongful behavior (torts) of his/her employees.
Plaintiff needs to prove 4 elements:
1. Act or omission
2. Duty
3. Cause
4. Injury
Indemnification - ANSWERS2-27
What are at least 4 principles risk assessors should follow to avoid legal liability under
tort law? - ANSWERS2-26 E.g. document everything, never say anything is "lead free",
say that a risk assessment only applies to the present status of the property, keep
records
Describe at least four important objectives of the initial property owner contact prior to
conducting risk assessment? - ANSWERS3-18
