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

What's the acceptable testing strategy for dwellings with 5 to 20 units?

1. Test all units

2. Test 2 units

3. Test 50% of the units

4. Test 4 units

The correct answer is: Test 50% of the units

The appropriate testing strategy for dwellings with 5 to 20 units involves testing 50% of the units. This approach balances the need for thoroughness in assessing potential lead hazards while considering practical limitations such as cost and time. By testing a significant portion of the units, you can obtain a representative sample that reflects the overall conditions within the dwelling, allowing for an accurate assessment of lead exposure risks. Testing 50% of the units provides a sufficient data set to evaluate the presence of lead-based hazards effectively. This method helps ensure that both the common areas and individual units are adequately represented in the testing process, which is crucial for formulating a risk management plan. In contrast, testing all units may not be necessary for risk assessment if a representative sample can yield reliable results. Testing only a small fixed number of units, such as 2 or 4, would not provide a statistically valid representation and might lead to underestimating or overestimating lead risks in the remaining units. Therefore, testing 50% strikes a vital balance between thorough risk evaluation and practical implementation.