CDPH Lead Inspector/Assessor California State Practice Exam

If 1% equals how many ppm?

1. 1,000 ppm

2. 10,000 ppm

3. 100 ppm

4. 25,000 ppm

The correct answer is: 10,000 ppm

To understand why 1% equals 10,000 parts per million (ppm), it's essential to clarify the relationship between percentages and ppm. A percentage represents a part per hundred, meaning that 1% is equivalent to 1 part out of 100 parts. On the other hand, ppm translates that measurement into parts per million, thus extending the concept to a larger scale. To convert from percent to ppm, you multiply the percentage by 10,000 because 1% equates to 10,000 parts per million (1% of 1,000,000 is 10,000). This conversion is crucial in many fields, including environmental science and lead assessment, where contaminant concentrations are often expressed in ppm for clarity and precision. Understanding this relationship is essential for professionals working with lead and other hazardous materials, ensuring accurate assessments and compliance with regulations.