CDPH Lead Inspector/Assessor California State Practice Exam

Which government agency primarily regulates lead-based paint hazards in housing?

1. EPA

2. CPSC

3. OSHA

4. HUD

The correct answer is: EPA

The correct answer is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is primarily responsible for regulating lead-based paint hazards in residential properties under the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act and the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule. These regulations ensure that lead hazards are properly addressed in homes, particularly those built before 1978, when the use of lead-based paint was banned in residential properties. The EPA develops guidelines, sets standards for lead in paint, and oversees various programs aimed at reducing lead exposure, particularly among children and pregnant women. Their focus on environmental health includes monitoring and enforcement related to lead paint hazards, thus making them the key regulatory agency in this area. While other agencies such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) play roles in protecting public health, they do not specifically focus on lead-based paint hazards in residential settings like the EPA does. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also has initiatives concerning housing and lead paint, but the EPA has the primary regulatory authority and enforcement power.