1. Which of the following materials is most likely to contain asbestos?
A) Concrete
B) Vinyl flooring
C) Insulation around pipes
D) Aluminum siding
Answer: C) Insulation around pipes
Rationale: Asbestos was commonly used as a fire retardant and insulating material, particularly
around pipes and boilers, in buildings constructed before the 1980s.
2. What is the primary health hazard associated with asbestos exposure?
A) Skin irritation
B) Respiratory diseases, including mesothelioma
C) Hearing loss
D) Neurological disorders
Answer: B) Respiratory diseases, including mesothelioma
Rationale: Asbestos fibers can become airborne and are inhaled, leading to serious respiratory
conditions, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
3. When conducting an asbestos building inspection, which area should be
prioritized for sampling?
A) Exterior windows
B) Areas with visible damage to materials
C) Non-friable materials
D) Occupied offices
Answer: B) Areas with visible damage to materials
Rationale: Damaged materials are more likely to release asbestos fibers into the air, posing a
higher risk for exposure.
4. What is the best method for identifying asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)
in a building?
,A) Visual inspection only
B) Lab testing of material samples
C) Air sampling
D) Use of asbestos detection machines
Answer: B) Lab testing of material samples
Rationale: The only definitive way to identify asbestos is through lab analysis, typically using
polarized light microscopy (PLM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to examine
samples.
5. Asbestos-containing materials are classified into two main categories. What
are they?
A) Non-friable and friable
B) Solid and liquid
C) Safe and hazardous
D) Insulating and non-insulating
Answer: A) Non-friable and friable
Rationale: Non-friable materials are more stable and unlikely to release fibers unless disturbed,
while friable materials can easily release fibers into the air when disturbed.
6. Which of the following is a method used to reduce the potential release of
asbestos fibers during an inspection?
A) Applying water or a surfactant to materials
B) Using a high-speed grinder on materials
C) Immediately removing materials from the building
D) Ignoring visible damage
Answer: A) Applying water or a surfactant to materials
Rationale: Wetting materials reduces the likelihood of fibers becoming airborne during
sampling or disturbance.
7. Which of the following should be worn during an asbestos inspection to
protect the inspector?
, A) Surgical mask
B) NIOSH-approved respirator
C) Disposable gloves only
D) No protection is needed
Answer: B) NIOSH-approved respirator
Rationale: To minimize the risk of inhaling asbestos fibers, inspectors must wear a NIOSH-
approved respirator designed for asbestos work.
8. What is the role of an asbestos building inspector?
A) To remove asbestos from a building
B) To assess and identify potential asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)
C) To conduct medical evaluations of workers exposed to asbestos
D) To monitor environmental pollution levels
Answer: B) To assess and identify potential asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)
Rationale: The primary responsibility of an asbestos building inspector is to identify and assess
the presence of asbestos-containing materials in a building.
9. Which of the following is an example of non-friable asbestos-containing
material?
A) Ceiling tiles
B) Asbestos pipe insulation
C) Flooring tiles
D) Spray-applied insulation
Answer: C) Flooring tiles
Rationale: Asbestos-containing flooring tiles are often non-friable, meaning they are less likely
to release fibers unless they are severely damaged or disturbed.
10. Under OSHA regulations, what is the required action when asbestos is found
in a workplace?
A) Concrete
B) Vinyl flooring
C) Insulation around pipes
D) Aluminum siding
Answer: C) Insulation around pipes
Rationale: Asbestos was commonly used as a fire retardant and insulating material, particularly
around pipes and boilers, in buildings constructed before the 1980s.
2. What is the primary health hazard associated with asbestos exposure?
A) Skin irritation
B) Respiratory diseases, including mesothelioma
C) Hearing loss
D) Neurological disorders
Answer: B) Respiratory diseases, including mesothelioma
Rationale: Asbestos fibers can become airborne and are inhaled, leading to serious respiratory
conditions, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
3. When conducting an asbestos building inspection, which area should be
prioritized for sampling?
A) Exterior windows
B) Areas with visible damage to materials
C) Non-friable materials
D) Occupied offices
Answer: B) Areas with visible damage to materials
Rationale: Damaged materials are more likely to release asbestos fibers into the air, posing a
higher risk for exposure.
4. What is the best method for identifying asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)
in a building?
,A) Visual inspection only
B) Lab testing of material samples
C) Air sampling
D) Use of asbestos detection machines
Answer: B) Lab testing of material samples
Rationale: The only definitive way to identify asbestos is through lab analysis, typically using
polarized light microscopy (PLM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to examine
samples.
5. Asbestos-containing materials are classified into two main categories. What
are they?
A) Non-friable and friable
B) Solid and liquid
C) Safe and hazardous
D) Insulating and non-insulating
Answer: A) Non-friable and friable
Rationale: Non-friable materials are more stable and unlikely to release fibers unless disturbed,
while friable materials can easily release fibers into the air when disturbed.
6. Which of the following is a method used to reduce the potential release of
asbestos fibers during an inspection?
A) Applying water or a surfactant to materials
B) Using a high-speed grinder on materials
C) Immediately removing materials from the building
D) Ignoring visible damage
Answer: A) Applying water or a surfactant to materials
Rationale: Wetting materials reduces the likelihood of fibers becoming airborne during
sampling or disturbance.
7. Which of the following should be worn during an asbestos inspection to
protect the inspector?
, A) Surgical mask
B) NIOSH-approved respirator
C) Disposable gloves only
D) No protection is needed
Answer: B) NIOSH-approved respirator
Rationale: To minimize the risk of inhaling asbestos fibers, inspectors must wear a NIOSH-
approved respirator designed for asbestos work.
8. What is the role of an asbestos building inspector?
A) To remove asbestos from a building
B) To assess and identify potential asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)
C) To conduct medical evaluations of workers exposed to asbestos
D) To monitor environmental pollution levels
Answer: B) To assess and identify potential asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)
Rationale: The primary responsibility of an asbestos building inspector is to identify and assess
the presence of asbestos-containing materials in a building.
9. Which of the following is an example of non-friable asbestos-containing
material?
A) Ceiling tiles
B) Asbestos pipe insulation
C) Flooring tiles
D) Spray-applied insulation
Answer: C) Flooring tiles
Rationale: Asbestos-containing flooring tiles are often non-friable, meaning they are less likely
to release fibers unless they are severely damaged or disturbed.
10. Under OSHA regulations, what is the required action when asbestos is found
in a workplace?
