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

What strategy should be employed when selecting highest risk units for testing?

1. Depth interviews with residents

2. Statistical sampling

3. Walk-through assessments

4. Public surveys

The correct answer is: Walk-through assessments

Choosing walk-through assessments as the strategy when selecting the highest risk units for testing is a relevant approach because it allows for an initial visual inspection of the property. During a walk-through assessment, inspectors can identify areas that show signs of deterioration or potential lead hazards, such as peeling paint, visible dust, or other conditions that may pose risks, particularly in older buildings where lead-based paint was commonly used. Walk-through assessments also enable the risk assessor to gather qualitative data about the living conditions of the units and observe any immediate conditions that may not be captured through another method. This method is particularly effective in assessing risk in a practical, on-site manner, as it directly engages with the environment in which residents live, leading to informed and focused testing efforts later on. Statistical sampling, depth interviews with residents, and public surveys, while valuable methods under different contexts, may not provide the same immediate and tangible insights into specific units at risk. Statistical sampling is more quantitative and may not target units effectively based on immediate visual cues, while interviews and surveys gather subjective experiences that may not reflect physical conditions accurately. Therefore, walk-through assessments are a pragmatic and direct method for identifying housing units at the highest risk for lead exposure.