EPA RISK ASSESSOR EXAM 2026
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
LEAD-BASED PAINT RISK ASSESSMENT
STUDY GUID
T/F: For management offices over 500 feet 2, two dust samples should be
taken of the residential waiting area if it is frequented by children. -
CORRECT ANSWER-False. 400 foot squared
What mathematical analysis does a risk assessor perform to determine if a
building wide lead based paint hazard exists? For multifamily housing. -
CORRECT ANSWER-Average the floor dust lead, window sill, window
well, average play area, average building perimeter
If for a multi-family property we find an area with deteriorated paint that is
positive for lead what 2 things can the owner do? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Treat every component of that type as lead positive and fix the violations
Request that the risk assessor conduct further testing
Which one of these is NOT part of the required information you should
request from management when using 5.6 to evaluate the property owner's
management capabilities in regard to LBPH controls?
A) Staffing
,B) Lead Hazard Control Policy Statement
C) Employee Health and Safety Plan
D) HEPA Vacuum - CORRECT ANSWER-B - Lead Hazard Control Policy
Statement is optional.
10-2, 10-23
What is the final product of a risk assessment? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Report containing a workable lead hazard control plan.
What's the key difference between interim controls and abatement? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Interim controls are measures designed to
temporarily reduce human exposure or possible exposure to lead-based
paint hazards. They have to be monitored.
Abatement is a measure or measures designed to permanently eliminate
lead-based paint hazards. Permanent as in good for 20 years or the life of
the building
4 Main Types of Interim Controls - CORRECT ANSWER-1) Paint film
stabilization
2) Friction and impact reduction treatments
3) Dust removal
4) Soil covering using non-permanent means (e.g., grass, mulch, gravel)
,6 Main Types of Abatement - CORRECT ANSWER-1) Building component
replacement
2) Enclosure
3) Paint removal by heat gun, chemical or contained abrasive
4) Encapsulation (patch tests and a 20 year warranty)
5) Permanent soil covering (paving)
6) Soil removal and replacement
4 Types of Regulated Activities That Should Accompany Any Hazard
Control Effort - CORRECT ANSWER-Clearance testing
Occupant protection
Worker Protection
Waste management
Ongoing monitoring of hazard control measures
Five Steps for Paint Film Stabilization - CORRECT ANSWER-1)
Completing any prerequisite repairs to control existing moisture or
substrate problems
2) Removing any loose surface material through wet scraping or wet
sanding
3) Eliminating surface contaminants through cleaning and deglossing
4) Application of paint using primer
5) Application of topcoat
, 5 Construction Materials Commonly Used to Enclose Surfaces with LBP -
CORRECT ANSWER-Interior finish: Drywall, paneling, wainscot
Exterior finish: aluminum, vinyl siding
Exterior trim: Aluminum or vinyl coil stock
Steps: Vinyl or rubber tread and riser coverings
Floors: Underlayment and vinyl or other sheet finish goods
3 Accepted Methods of Paint Removal - CORRECT ANSWER-Heat guns
(for limited areas only)
Mechanical removal (HEPA sanding, wet scraping ,HEPA vacuum blasting,
HEPA vacuum needle gun)
Chemical removal
3 Factors That Help prolong the Effectiveness of Encapsulation So That It
Qualifies As An Abatement Method - CORRECT ANSWER-Manufacturer
must provide a 20 year warranty
Property owner or local agency must conduct visual monitoring at one and
six months after application to ensure encapsulation is still intact
Certified risk assessors must approve of the use of the encapsulant on-site
for a specific surface, including completing a patch test on each surface to
be encapsulated
Levels of Bare Soil Contamination EPA Recommends Abatement -
CORRECT ANSWER-5000 ug/g
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
LEAD-BASED PAINT RISK ASSESSMENT
STUDY GUID
T/F: For management offices over 500 feet 2, two dust samples should be
taken of the residential waiting area if it is frequented by children. -
CORRECT ANSWER-False. 400 foot squared
What mathematical analysis does a risk assessor perform to determine if a
building wide lead based paint hazard exists? For multifamily housing. -
CORRECT ANSWER-Average the floor dust lead, window sill, window
well, average play area, average building perimeter
If for a multi-family property we find an area with deteriorated paint that is
positive for lead what 2 things can the owner do? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Treat every component of that type as lead positive and fix the violations
Request that the risk assessor conduct further testing
Which one of these is NOT part of the required information you should
request from management when using 5.6 to evaluate the property owner's
management capabilities in regard to LBPH controls?
A) Staffing
,B) Lead Hazard Control Policy Statement
C) Employee Health and Safety Plan
D) HEPA Vacuum - CORRECT ANSWER-B - Lead Hazard Control Policy
Statement is optional.
10-2, 10-23
What is the final product of a risk assessment? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Report containing a workable lead hazard control plan.
What's the key difference between interim controls and abatement? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Interim controls are measures designed to
temporarily reduce human exposure or possible exposure to lead-based
paint hazards. They have to be monitored.
Abatement is a measure or measures designed to permanently eliminate
lead-based paint hazards. Permanent as in good for 20 years or the life of
the building
4 Main Types of Interim Controls - CORRECT ANSWER-1) Paint film
stabilization
2) Friction and impact reduction treatments
3) Dust removal
4) Soil covering using non-permanent means (e.g., grass, mulch, gravel)
,6 Main Types of Abatement - CORRECT ANSWER-1) Building component
replacement
2) Enclosure
3) Paint removal by heat gun, chemical or contained abrasive
4) Encapsulation (patch tests and a 20 year warranty)
5) Permanent soil covering (paving)
6) Soil removal and replacement
4 Types of Regulated Activities That Should Accompany Any Hazard
Control Effort - CORRECT ANSWER-Clearance testing
Occupant protection
Worker Protection
Waste management
Ongoing monitoring of hazard control measures
Five Steps for Paint Film Stabilization - CORRECT ANSWER-1)
Completing any prerequisite repairs to control existing moisture or
substrate problems
2) Removing any loose surface material through wet scraping or wet
sanding
3) Eliminating surface contaminants through cleaning and deglossing
4) Application of paint using primer
5) Application of topcoat
, 5 Construction Materials Commonly Used to Enclose Surfaces with LBP -
CORRECT ANSWER-Interior finish: Drywall, paneling, wainscot
Exterior finish: aluminum, vinyl siding
Exterior trim: Aluminum or vinyl coil stock
Steps: Vinyl or rubber tread and riser coverings
Floors: Underlayment and vinyl or other sheet finish goods
3 Accepted Methods of Paint Removal - CORRECT ANSWER-Heat guns
(for limited areas only)
Mechanical removal (HEPA sanding, wet scraping ,HEPA vacuum blasting,
HEPA vacuum needle gun)
Chemical removal
3 Factors That Help prolong the Effectiveness of Encapsulation So That It
Qualifies As An Abatement Method - CORRECT ANSWER-Manufacturer
must provide a 20 year warranty
Property owner or local agency must conduct visual monitoring at one and
six months after application to ensure encapsulation is still intact
Certified risk assessors must approve of the use of the encapsulant on-site
for a specific surface, including completing a patch test on each surface to
be encapsulated
Levels of Bare Soil Contamination EPA Recommends Abatement -
CORRECT ANSWER-5000 ug/g
