DC LEAD-BASED PAINT LAW EXAM
NEWLY UPDATED 2026 EXAM GUIDE
WITH ACCURATE A+ ANSWERS,
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS, AND
EXCEPTIONAL SUCCESS
Define the term "renovation" in accordance with the District's lead law -
Answer
✔✔ Renovation means the modification of any existing structure, or portion
thereof, that results in the disturbance of painted surfaces, unless that activity is
performed as part of an abatement as defined by this part (40 CFR 745.223). The
term renovation includes (but is not limited to):
The removal, modification, or repair of painted surfaces or painted
components (e.g., modification of painted doors, surface restoration, window
repair, surface preparation activities such as sanding, scraping, or other
activities that may generate paint dust)
The removal of building components (e.g., walls, ceilings, plumbing,
windows)
Weatherization projects (e.g., cutting holes in painted surfaces to install
blown-in insulation or to gain access to attics, planing thresholds to install
weather-stripping)
Interim controls that disturb painted surfaces.
A renovation performed for the purpose of converting a building, or part of a
building, into target housing or a child-occupied facility is a renovation under this
subpart.
The term renovation does not include minor repair and maintenance activities.
✔✔
Define "elevated blood lead" level in the District -ANSWER✔✔an excessive
absorption of lead that is a confirmed concentration of lead in whole blood of 20
, µg/dl (micrograms of lead per deciliter of whole blood) for a single venous test or
of 15-19 µg/dl in two consecutive tests taken 3 to 4 months apart.
Define "presumed lead-based paint" in the District -ANSWER✔✔Paint or other
surface coating affixed to a component in or on a dwelling unit or child-occupied
facility, constructed prior to 1978.
Identify the common ways lead poisoning occurs -ANSWER✔✔Lead can be
present in many places, both inside and outside the home environment. Most
experts agree that the most significant current source of lead exposure is old paint
in homes that have not been well maintained over the years. Similarly, when
renovation, paint maintenance, or other repair work "disturbs" old paint, dangerous
lead hazards can be created that cause immediate health threats. For these reasons,
it is critical that paint be maintained in intact condition, and that any work that is
done that disturbs painted surfaces be done in a "lead-safe" manner.
When lead paint deteriorates, it forms tiny particles that can be invisible to the
naked eye. These are sticky lead particles that are difficult to clean up if you don't
use elbow grease. These lead particles are also created when old windows are
opened and shut. The friction between their painted components generates the lead
dust. Sometimes old doors can do the same thing, when they are grinding or
bumping against other surfaces as they are opened and shut. Because young
children like to play on the floor, like to put their fingers on window sills, and like
to put their fingers and toys in their mouth, lead dust is the number one way that
children get exposed to lead.
Lead in water can also contribute to a child's blood lead level. The District of
Columbia has had a well-documented history of problems with lead in its drinking
water. Generally, those who are most vulnerable to lead's health effects from
exposure to unfiltered tap water are the very youngest children. For this reason, if
you are not sure about the lead content in your tap water, it's best to either use a
filter that has been found to be effective for reducing or eliminating lead, or to use
bottled water instead. If these options are not available to you, then it's best to let
the water run
NEWLY UPDATED 2026 EXAM GUIDE
WITH ACCURATE A+ ANSWERS,
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS, AND
EXCEPTIONAL SUCCESS
Define the term "renovation" in accordance with the District's lead law -
Answer
✔✔ Renovation means the modification of any existing structure, or portion
thereof, that results in the disturbance of painted surfaces, unless that activity is
performed as part of an abatement as defined by this part (40 CFR 745.223). The
term renovation includes (but is not limited to):
The removal, modification, or repair of painted surfaces or painted
components (e.g., modification of painted doors, surface restoration, window
repair, surface preparation activities such as sanding, scraping, or other
activities that may generate paint dust)
The removal of building components (e.g., walls, ceilings, plumbing,
windows)
Weatherization projects (e.g., cutting holes in painted surfaces to install
blown-in insulation or to gain access to attics, planing thresholds to install
weather-stripping)
Interim controls that disturb painted surfaces.
A renovation performed for the purpose of converting a building, or part of a
building, into target housing or a child-occupied facility is a renovation under this
subpart.
The term renovation does not include minor repair and maintenance activities.
✔✔
Define "elevated blood lead" level in the District -ANSWER✔✔an excessive
absorption of lead that is a confirmed concentration of lead in whole blood of 20
, µg/dl (micrograms of lead per deciliter of whole blood) for a single venous test or
of 15-19 µg/dl in two consecutive tests taken 3 to 4 months apart.
Define "presumed lead-based paint" in the District -ANSWER✔✔Paint or other
surface coating affixed to a component in or on a dwelling unit or child-occupied
facility, constructed prior to 1978.
Identify the common ways lead poisoning occurs -ANSWER✔✔Lead can be
present in many places, both inside and outside the home environment. Most
experts agree that the most significant current source of lead exposure is old paint
in homes that have not been well maintained over the years. Similarly, when
renovation, paint maintenance, or other repair work "disturbs" old paint, dangerous
lead hazards can be created that cause immediate health threats. For these reasons,
it is critical that paint be maintained in intact condition, and that any work that is
done that disturbs painted surfaces be done in a "lead-safe" manner.
When lead paint deteriorates, it forms tiny particles that can be invisible to the
naked eye. These are sticky lead particles that are difficult to clean up if you don't
use elbow grease. These lead particles are also created when old windows are
opened and shut. The friction between their painted components generates the lead
dust. Sometimes old doors can do the same thing, when they are grinding or
bumping against other surfaces as they are opened and shut. Because young
children like to play on the floor, like to put their fingers on window sills, and like
to put their fingers and toys in their mouth, lead dust is the number one way that
children get exposed to lead.
Lead in water can also contribute to a child's blood lead level. The District of
Columbia has had a well-documented history of problems with lead in its drinking
water. Generally, those who are most vulnerable to lead's health effects from
exposure to unfiltered tap water are the very youngest children. For this reason, if
you are not sure about the lead content in your tap water, it's best to either use a
filter that has been found to be effective for reducing or eliminating lead, or to use
bottled water instead. If these options are not available to you, then it's best to let
the water run
