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EPA Risk Assessor Exam Questions and Answers c top soil when taking a soil sample? - ✔ 5/8 inch What are a few methods of taking soil sample? - ✔ Tube itself, coring tool, syringe Give a few examples of soil sampling equipment? - ✔ 6 - 8 Soil coring device Spatula or spoon Ruler/ tape measurer Gloves T/F: You need blanks and spikes for soil samples during routine lead-based paint risk assessments too. - ✔ False In most situations, __ composite samples per dwelling will be adequate (one from the ___ area, the other from the ___ foundation). And each composite sample should consist of __ to __ subsamples. - ✔ 2 play area building foundation 3 - 10 When taking soil samples along the building foundation, take samples __ to __ feet apart, and __ to __ ft from the building exterior - ✔ 2 - 6 feet 2 - 3 feet T/F: You want to take a soil sample from bare soil where a child swing is located. You take soil subsamples following a Z pattern. - ✔ False. X Pattern. Scenario: Your risk assessor trainee is trying to take soil samples next to the building foundation. There are a lot of small paint chips. The trainee makes extra effort to sample more of these paint chips, saying that this way we'll get a better idea of the amount of lead coming from the building exterior. Is his methodology reasonable? - ✔ No. You should make no special attempt to over sample paint chips. How are soil samples analyzed in the lab? Name 3 methods. - ✔ XRF Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)
Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP) AAS - ✔ Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy ICP - ✔ Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy You should only use laboratories recognized under the EPA ____ Program. - ✔ National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program According to Title X, HUD guidelines MUST be used for what type of housing?
- ✔ Federally supported housing Deteriorated paint is a LBPH only if it meets the "poor" definition, and if it contains __________________. A) non detectable lead. B) if it contains radon above the applicable federal or local standard. C) if it contains lead above the applicable federal or local standard D) several layers of paint. - ✔ C You are now taking some samples of deteriorated paint, and the owner is present. You notice some areas with deteriorated paint, and by XRF testing those areas are less than the applicable standard. The owner looks happy and asks if this area is lead "safe". How do you respond? A) He's right. It is lead safe. B) Never state that deteriorated paint is "safe". C) You say that the area is free of lead paint. - ✔ B What are the federal standards for lead in paint? - ✔ 1.0 mg/cm^2 for XRF or lab 5,000 ug/g by laboratory analysis Convert 5,000 ug/g to: ppm mg/gkg % by weight - ✔ 5,000 ppm 5,000 mg/kg 0.5% by weight
portable XRF analysis of paint chips. Would you accept these as valid? (Y/N) - ✔ No NLLAP - ✔ National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program NLLAP includes these 2 organizations: - ✔ A2LA - American Association for Laboratory Accreditation AIHA - American Industrial Hygiene Association Can you use a laboratory participating in the Environmental Lead Proficiency (ELPAT) program if they can't provide evidence that they applied for accreditation? - ✔ No ASV - ✔ Anodic Stripping Voltametry Example of portable laboratories for analyzing lead in paint. T/F: Hard-shelled containers are necessary for ug/g or weight percent. And plastic baggies are necessary for mg/cm^2. - ✔ False. Switch. Describe 1 pro and 1 con of composite paint chip sampling. - ✔ Pro: cost saving Con: if any samples are positive, you need further sampling to determine which paint chip was positive What is the action level for a composite sample including 5 subsamples? - ✔ 1.0 mg/cm^2 / 5 subsamples = 0.2 mg/cm^ Why are composite samples usually collected by surface area? - ✔ Risk assessor can composite these samples in the field, provided each subsample is the same surface area. If they were done by weight percent, you have to collect each subsample individually, then the laboratory will measure each subsample and then homogenize them in the lab. T/F: Title X defines lead contamination in water as a lead-based paint hazard.
- ✔ False Treatment Trigger for Water *EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for Lead - ✔ 15 ppb = 15 ug/L = 0.015 mg/l
When __% or more of the drinking water taps in a community exceed this level, regulations require corrosion control treatment, source water treatment, public education and lead service line replacement. A) 15% B) 90% C) 80% D) 1% - ✔ B First Flush - ✔ Initial sample of 1 liter collected from the kitchen or bathroom, cold water tap that has stood motionless for at least 6 hours. What's the purpose of acid in container? - ✔ To prevent absorption of lead through the container walls. T/F: Water sampling is required for most lead-based paint risk assessments. - ✔ False Water samples should not be stored for more than __ hours before analysis, unless acidification is completed. A) 6 B) 8 C) 28 D) 30 - ✔ C When is a lead hazard screen an appropriate evaluation method? - ✔ Houses that are in good physical condition, for homes that are likely to be free of lead hazards. What are the main differences between a lead hazard screen and a full risk assessment? - ✔ A lead hazard screen is a part of the risk assessment protocol. It involves less sampling, but has more stringent dust guidance levels. T/F: A unit might fail the lead hazard screen but later be shown free of hazards. - ✔ True Scenario: Owner describes home as relatively good condition, so you decide that the home is a good candidate for a lead hazard screen. However, you
What are the challenges and opportunities for Multifamily Properties? - ✔ Pro: if many of the homes are similar, you don't have to assess all of them, which drives down costs. Come up with a formal plan to drive down owners liability. Con: staff need training, need to work with larger management team, and come up with plan and policy for them. Worst-case sampling - ✔ 10 - 5 Targeted sampling - ✔ 10 - 5 Random sampling - ✔ 10 - 6 4 Aspects of a Similar Dwelling - ✔ Built at the same time Common maintenance and management history Have a common paint history Similar construction T/F: Only apartments in the same building can be considered similar dwellings. - ✔ False Name one con for each type of sampling: targeted, worst case and random. - ✔ Targeted: owner can manipulate info given to a risk assessor Worst case: risk assessor needs to walk through all the units go find the worst ones Random: more expensive because random sampling requires more units to be solved if over 20 units Scenario: owner doesn't know much about the condition of the building he owns or about the people that live there. Is targeted sampling acceptable? - ✔ No. Worst case sampling or random sampling instead. Use HUD guideline table 5.6 to determine how many dwellings needed to be tested for: 4 dwellings 13 dwellings 64 dwellings 700 dwellings - ✔ 10 - 8 4 dwellings: All 13 dwellings: 7
64 dwellings: 13 700 dwellings: 26 What are the five criteria for selecting targeted dwellings? - ✔ Dwellings with housing or building code violations in the past year Poor condition 2+ kids aged 2 month to 6 years Day-care facilities Prepared for reoccupancy within the past 3 months What happens if there are more dwellings that meet the criteria for targeted sampling than is needed for testing? A) eliminate then randomly B) choose the ones with more kids living there - ✔ Choose the one that has more kids aged 2 months to 6 What happens if all targeted dwellings need the same criteria and you have more than you need to test? - ✔ Eliminate them randomly Scenario: determine how to risk assessment a Multifamily unit of 30 dwellings, see 10-12 for details - ✔ 10 - 12 T/F: If a multidwelling has 5 units, you have to test each separately. - ✔ False. If using worst case or targeted you only need to sample 4. What is the protocol for large amount units that are not similar? - ✔ RA should collect info on the condition of the building and the age and location of children in the residence. Then they should sample 10 or 25% whichever is greater. Check to see if there is a pattern. What if there is no pattern among dissimilar homes? - ✔ You keep testing and looking for patterns until you test all the homes. What 4 things that a typical management and maintenance plan consist of? By - ✔ Designating a person responsible for lead based paint work
A) Staffing B) Lead Hazard Control Policy Statement C) Employee Health and Safety Plan D) HEPA Vacuum - ✔ B - Lead Hazard Control Policy Statement is optional. 10 - 2, 10- 23 What is the final product of a risk assessment? - ✔ Report containing a workable lead hazard control plan. What's the key difference between interim controls and abatement? - ✔ Interim controls are measures designed to temporarily reduce human exposure or possible exposure to lead-based paint hazards. They have to be monitored. Abatement is a measure or measures designed to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards. Permanent as in good for 20 years or the life of the building 4 Main Types of Interim Controls - ✔ 1) Paint film stabilization
- Friction and impact reduction treatments
- Dust removal
- Soil covering using non-permanent means (e.g., grass, mulch, gravel) 6 Main Types of Abatement - ✔ 1) Building component replacement
- Enclosure
- Paint removal by heat gun, chemical or contained abrasive
- Encapsulation (patch tests and a 20 year warranty)
- Permanent soil covering (paving)
- Soil removal and replacement 4 Types of Regulated Activities That Should Accompany Any Hazard Control Effort - ✔ Clearance testing Occupant protection Worker Protection Waste management Ongoing monitoring of hazard control measures Five Steps for Paint Film Stabilization - ✔ 1) Completing any prerequisite repairs to control existing moisture or substrate problems
- Removing any loose surface material through wet scraping or wet sanding
- Eliminating surface contaminants through cleaning and deglossing
- Application of paint using primer
- Application of topcoat 5 Construction Materials Commonly Used to Enclose Surfaces with LBP - ✔ Interior finish: Drywall, paneling, wainscot Exterior finish: aluminum, vinyl siding Exterior trim: Aluminum or vinyl coil stock Steps: Vinyl or rubber tread and riser coverings Floors: Underlayment and vinyl or other sheet finish goods 3 Accepted Methods of Paint Removal - ✔ Heat guns (for limited areas only) Mechanical removal (HEPA sanding, wet scraping ,HEPA vacuum blasting, HEPA vacuum needle gun) Chemical removal 3 Factors That Help prolong the Effectiveness of Encapsulation So That It Qualifies As An Abatement Method - ✔ Manufacturer must provide a 20 year warranty Property owner or local agency must conduct visual monitoring at one and six months after application to ensure encapsulation is still intact Certified risk assessors must approve of the use of the encapsulant on-site for a specific surface, including completing a patch test on each surface to be encapsulated Levels of Bare Soil Contamination EPA Recommends Abatement - ✔ 5000 ug/g Levels of Bare Soil contamination in Play Areas EPA Recommends Some Form of Soil Treatment - ✔ Soil levels are from 400 ug/g to 5,000 ug/g and children are likely to have contact with such soil 2,000 ug/g to 5,000 ug/g but children are unlikely to come in contact with the soil 3 Methods of Paint Removal Prohibited by the HUD - ✔ Open-flame burning or torching Machine sanding or grinding without HEPA vacuum exhaust Abrasive blasting or sandblasting without HEPA vacuum exhaust equipment Uncontained hydroblasting or high-pressure washing
Not effective for keeping dust levels below applicable standards over the longer term if the source isn't controlled 2 Pros and Cons of Building Component Replacement - ✔ Pros Permanent solution by removing all LBP Minimizes dust contamination of the property Minimizes worker and resident exposure to leaded dust It allows for the upgrade of old building systems Can be combined easily and inexpensively with renovation and remodeling work Cons Relatively expensive, especially for historic preservation projects Historic preservation projects- building component replacement may not be permitted Generate large amounts of waste which could be costly and complicated Trim removal reveals large amounts of dust that can be released 2 Pros and Cons of Enclosure Systems - ✔ Pros Allows using standard, locally available construction materials Highly reliable and more durable than encapsulation, as no federal standards currently exist to evaluate the reliability of an encapsulant Produces minimal waste, reducing the need for hazardous waste disposal Generates minimum levels of lead contaminated dust Cons Does not permanently remove LBP (only makes dwelling free of LBPH) Enclosures are vulnerable to water and physical damage Future renovations can result in exposure to surfaces with LBP and create lead-based paint hazards Cannot be used on unsound structures Enclosures should be monitored at least annually Aluminum or vinyl exterior siding can conceal rotting wood 2 Pros and 2 Cons of On-Site Paint Removal - ✔ Pro Can be less costly than replacing or enclosing building components Cons Generates a lot of dust Hazardous waste generated Workers might be exposed to caustic chemical and/or leaded dust
Chemical stripping can leave lead residues Certain mechanical removal methods are not effective on certain substrates Specialized equipment is needed for certain mechanical removal methods 2 Pros and 2 cons of Off-Site Paint Removal - ✔ Pros Low reevaluation failure rate Appropriate for historical preservation Abatement contractor and owner generate minimal waste Minimal ongoing monitoring is needed (compared to interim controls) Cons Can be expensive May deteriorate glues or other elements of components which may cause components to disintegrate Does not remove lead from wood, which may release lead dust if it is disturbed again 2 Pros and 2 Cons of Encapsulation - ✔ Pros Lead dust is not generated May be less costly than some other abatement methods Wide range of encapsulation products is available to meet different needs Cons Inappropriate for use on friction, impact, chewable, or severely deteriorated surfaces Information on long term durability is ilmited Durability depends on the condition of previous paint layers Susceptible to water damage May not be applied in extremely hot or cold weather conditions 2 Pros and Cons of Interim Soil Treatments - ✔ Pros Lower initial investment than abatement Doesn't require specialized contractor skills or equipment Can be effective at reducing contact with lead contaminated soil Cons Requires continuous monitoring Barriers and covering can be easily disturbed or removed Extreme weather conditions can make it difficult to maintain covering
How many times more expensive is hazardous waste than regular waste? A) Costs the same B) 5x C) 10x D) 20x - ✔ C) Roughly 10x RCRA - ✔ 11 - 24 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act TCLP - ✔ 11 - 24 Toxic Characteristics Leaching Procedure Categories of Abatement Waste (4) - ✔ Low lead waste (likely nonhazardous) Architectural components Concentrated lead waste (likely hazardous) Other waste 11 - 25 T/F: Removement and replacement is cheaper than encapsulation. - ✔ False. Encapsulation is usually cheaper than removal and replacement. Ongoing monitoring is appropriate in units where: (A) ___ (B) ___ - ✔ (A): Lead-based paint is known or suspected to be present, but in which lead-based paint hazards currently exist. (B): No active control measures are necessary. GIve two examples in which ongoing monitoring is not necessary. - ✔ RIsk assessment shows there is NO lead based paint, and levels in soil and dust levels are below limits All building components with lead-based paint were removed What are the two key elements of ongoing monitoring as defined by HUD? - ✔ Reevaluations by a certified risk assessor. Annual visual surveys by the owner.
T/F: Reevaluations are risk assessments, but with more limited soil and dust sampling. - ✔ True T/F: Soil sampling is usually necessary for reevaluations, because a risk assessor cannot assess the quality of previously covered area by visual inspection alone. - ✔ False. Visual inspection is usually sufficient. Dust sampling for reevaluatoins usually consists of how many composite samples, one from ___ and one from ___. - ✔ 12 - 6 Dust sampling for reevaluations usually consists of two composite samples, one from uncarpeted floors and one from the window sill. A risk assessor is taking subsamples for a composite dust sample for an uncarpeted floor. Is this combination of dust samples for uncarpeted floor acceptable?
- 1'st child's bedroom
- 2nd child's bedroom
- main entryway
- closet
- boiler room that no one goes to - ✔ Not acceptable. 1-3 are okay, but composite subsamples should be no more than 4. What is the average frequently of a reevaluation? - ✔ Anywhere from 1/ year to every 3 years. Use table 6.1, 12-8 and 12- 9 What are the factors which determine the frequenty of a reevaluation and visual survey? - ✔ A) Presence of LBPH B) Average of leaded dust levels and soil hazards C) Action taken: interim or abatement GIve up to 4 examples of conditions which result in reevaluation failure. - ✔
- Dust wipes exceed federal/state/local standards
- Bare soil levels exceed 400 ug/g in play areas nad 2,000 ug/g
- Material used to cover contaminated soil is no longer intact
- Hazard controls are no longer intact
- Paint that is known or suspected to be lead-based paint is found to be deteriorating
5 Principles of Communication for Risk Assessors - ✔ 1) Not take sides
- Not lay blame
- Not incite unreasonable fears
- Not minimize legitimate concerns
- Not impose nonexistent responsibilities What are the 4 functions of a final risk assessment report? - ✔ 1) Summarize the results by indicating where hazards are found
- Indicate the range of hazard control options likely to be effective (including ongoing monitoring and maintenance)
- Include all raw data and identifying information
- Might be a legal document T/F: The choice of how to control the hazard rests in the risk assessor, not the owner. - ✔ False. The owner. What are the three main parts of a final risk assessment report? And give examples of each - ✔ 15 - 4, 15- 5 Identifying Information e.g. name of risk assessor, license, date, name of owner, address, date of the report, date of sampling Completed management, maintenance and environmental results form and analyses: results of LBPH, dust samples, soil samples, previosu XRF testing, building condition Lead hazard control plan: name of lead-based paint policy statement, interim control options, abatement control options, etc. Give a few examples of what you might need to add if the final risk assessment report is for multi-family housing? - ✔ Method of selecting units: targeted, worst case scenario or random Naming the person in charge of dealing with lead-based paint hazards
