Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Model Lead Based Paint Risk Assessor Practice Test

What should be done with paint that falls on the plastic during a paint chip collection?

1. Dispose of it immediately

2. Leave it on the plastic

3. Replace it

4. Claim any damages incurred

The correct answer is: Replace it

When paint chips are collected and fall onto the plastic, the recommended course of action is to replace the plastic. This is essential to prevent any contamination or misrepresentation of results during a lead-based paint risk assessment. The integrity of the paint sample is crucial for accurate analysis, and any foreign paint chips could lead to incorrect conclusions about the presence or concentration of lead in the area. By replacing the plastic that collected the paint, you ensure that the collected sample reflects only what was intended to be assessed, maintaining the accuracy of your evaluation. This adheres to standard practices in lead risk assessment, which emphasize the importance of clear and uncontaminated samples for analysis.