Building Components & Lead Paint Inspection Flashcards

Which building component is most commonly associated with lead-based paint hazards in pre-1978 housing?

Answer: Interior trim, window frames, and door frames

Interior trim, windows, and doors are prime locations for lead-based paint because contractors historically used durable oil-based lead paint on high-wear surfaces.

What device is the standard tool for non-destructive lead testing in the field?

Answer: X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer

XRF analyzers use X-ray fluorescence to measure lead concentration in paint layers without destroying the surface, providing immediate results on-site.

Under EPA regulations, what is the lead concentration threshold that defines paint as 'lead-based paint'?

Answer: 1.0 mg/cm² or 0.1% by weight

EPA defines lead-based paint as paint containing 1.0 mg/cm² or more by XRF measurement, or 0.1% or more by weight from laboratory analysis.

When using paint chip sampling to test for lead, where should samples be collected from?

Answer: Through all paint layers down to the substrate

Paint chip samples must include all paint layers down to the bare substrate to capture any lead-based paint that may be covered by subsequent non-lead paint coats.

Which type of surface testing is allowed as a presumptive determination of lead-based paint without laboratory analysis?

Answer: Certified XRF measurement at or above 1.0 mg/cm²

An EPA-recognized XRF instrument measuring 1.0 mg/cm² or above is a definitive field measurement; colorimetric tests can indicate presence but XRF provides a regulatory-grade determination.

In a lead inspection report, which component designations must be recorded for each tested surface?

Answer: Room, component type, substrate material, test result, and lead-based paint determination

EPA lead inspection reports must document each tested component with room location, component type, substrate, the test result, and whether the surface is defined as lead-based paint.