CDPH Lead Inspector/Assessor California State Practice Exam

When dust sampling in a building less than or equal to 2,000 square feet, how many floor dust samples are required?

1. 1 sample

2. 2 samples

3. 3 samples

4. 4 samples

The correct answer is: 2 samples

The requirement for dust sampling in a building that is 2,000 square feet or less is identified as needing two samples. This standard is likely established to ensure a thorough and representative assessment of lead dust levels within the space. Taking two samples enables the inspector to capture potential variances in lead dust concentration that may exist across different areas of the floor. Sampling just one area may not accurately reflect the overall conditions in the building, as lead dust can accumulate unevenly due to factors like room use, airflow, and maintenance activities. Meanwhile, collecting more than two samples could be unnecessary and could lead to excessive costs and time spent without significantly enhancing the quality of the data gathered. The regulation aims to balance efficiency and reliability in testing for lead dust, making two samples the most appropriate number for a property of that size.