EPA LEAD INSPECTOR EXAM PREP 2026
HIGH YIELD QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
ROADMAP
◉ What are the OSHA lead levels?
Answer: - Action level = 30 μg/m3 ... triggers HAZCOM (hazardous
communication) and training - PEL (Permissable Exposure Level) =
50 μg/m3 ... triggers above PLUS PPE (Personal Protective
Equipment) - 50 μg/dL triggers medical removal and salary
retention - If you're at child-bearing age, the limit is technically 25
μg/dL since you qualify for fertility testing ($20,000 a pop!)
◉ What is the OSHA general industry regulation for respirators?
Answer: 29 CFR 1910.134 - 29 = Agency (OSHA) - 1910 = Industry
(General) - 134 = Material (Respiratory protection)
◉ What must be done to keep track of occupational exposures?
Answer: - Baseline exam - Authorization to wear a respirator - FEP
(free erythrocyte protoporforin) / ZPP (zinc protoporforin) to
determine past/chronic exposures
◉ RCRA
, Answer: - Resource Conservation Recovery Act of 1976 - Classifies
hazardous waste
◉ TCLP
Answer: - Toxic Characteristics Leachate Procedure - At 5 ppm, a
substance being tested is classified as hazardous waste
◉ What must be done to wastewater?
Answer: - Captured, filtered, and checked to see if it is suitable for
flushing - If not suitable, solidify and send to hazardous waste
facility
◉ How to prevent lead from getting into tap water?
Answer: Flush until water is cold
◉ Pipe standards for lead
Answer: - Less than 0.2 % for solder and flux - Less than 8% for
other plumbing materials
◉ What is a composite sample?
Answer: Combined sample made up of various individual samples
from the SAME type of component
HIGH YIELD QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
ROADMAP
◉ What are the OSHA lead levels?
Answer: - Action level = 30 μg/m3 ... triggers HAZCOM (hazardous
communication) and training - PEL (Permissable Exposure Level) =
50 μg/m3 ... triggers above PLUS PPE (Personal Protective
Equipment) - 50 μg/dL triggers medical removal and salary
retention - If you're at child-bearing age, the limit is technically 25
μg/dL since you qualify for fertility testing ($20,000 a pop!)
◉ What is the OSHA general industry regulation for respirators?
Answer: 29 CFR 1910.134 - 29 = Agency (OSHA) - 1910 = Industry
(General) - 134 = Material (Respiratory protection)
◉ What must be done to keep track of occupational exposures?
Answer: - Baseline exam - Authorization to wear a respirator - FEP
(free erythrocyte protoporforin) / ZPP (zinc protoporforin) to
determine past/chronic exposures
◉ RCRA
, Answer: - Resource Conservation Recovery Act of 1976 - Classifies
hazardous waste
◉ TCLP
Answer: - Toxic Characteristics Leachate Procedure - At 5 ppm, a
substance being tested is classified as hazardous waste
◉ What must be done to wastewater?
Answer: - Captured, filtered, and checked to see if it is suitable for
flushing - If not suitable, solidify and send to hazardous waste
facility
◉ How to prevent lead from getting into tap water?
Answer: Flush until water is cold
◉ Pipe standards for lead
Answer: - Less than 0.2 % for solder and flux - Less than 8% for
other plumbing materials
◉ What is a composite sample?
Answer: Combined sample made up of various individual samples
from the SAME type of component
