CDPH Lead Inspector/Assessor California State Practice Exam

What is one of the components of a Lead Hazard Screen?

1. Indoor air quality evaluation

2. A visual assessment of paint surfaces

3. Soil depth analysis

4. Monthly surveillance

The correct answer is: A visual assessment of paint surfaces

One key component of a Lead Hazard Screen is a visual assessment of paint surfaces. This assessment is crucial because many older homes, particularly those built before 1978 when lead paint was banned for residential use, may still contain lead-based paint. The visual assessment involves inspecting accessible surfaces for peeling, chipping, or deteriorating paint, which can pose a significant lead exposure risk if it is ingested or inhaled as dust. By identifying the condition of painted surfaces, inspectors can determine the potential for lead hazards and recommend appropriate actions, whether it be remediation or further testing. This proactive approach helps protect occupants, particularly children who are more susceptible to the harmful effects of lead exposure. The other options, while related to environmental health, do not directly pertain to the standard components of a Lead Hazard Screen. Indoor air quality evaluation usually involves a different set of assessments focused on air contaminants and chemicals, soil depth analysis looks at the potential for lead contamination in soil rather than assessing existing paint hazards, and monthly surveillance implies an ongoing monitoring approach rather than an initial screening tool. Thus, the visual assessment specifically targets the paint surfaces which directly fulfill the criteria of a Lead Hazard Screen.