RISK ASSESSOR STUDY GUIDE| 101 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

How much lead must be in the paint to be considered contaminated? greater than or equal to 1.0 mg/cm2 or 0.5% by weight What did Title X do? -Shifted the federal government's focus from LBP to LBP hazards -mandated action by many branches of federal govt to reduce lead hazards in housing Why was lead used in paint? -added pigment -durability -helps paint dry faster -kills mold -blocks sound How do children most often come in contact with LBP? Through hand-to-mouth activities with lead contaminated soil and surface dust What year was LBP effectively banned in all residential homes? 1978 LBP inspectors are required to _______. -identify the LBP surfaces in housing -certify the results of the inspection in writing -sample for the presence of lead in dust and soil for the purposes of abatement clearance testing What caused a large decrease in lead contaminated air? The phase-down of lead within gasoline Who was the first to write about the potential dangers of lead exposure? Ben Franklin in 1786 What 3 systems of the body are most affected by lead exposure? -central and peripheral nervous system -cardiovascular system -kidneys Which groups of children are disproportionately exposed to higher amounts of lead? -poor -Mexican-American -non-Hispanic black -living in a metropolitan area -living in older housing Where is lead stored in the body for the most time? Bones and teeth; 95% of where lead is stored; half life = 25 years Define chronic lead exposure. Exposure to low to moderate levels of lead over a long period of time. What blood lead level is considered the level of concern in children? 5 ug/dL What is the best initial measurement for evaluating lead exposure in the body? blood lead level What is the lead absorption rate in pregnant women and children? 50% What are ways to prevent lead poisoning? -abatement -using safe work practices -eating a balanced diet What is the first step in the treatment of suspected lead poisoning? removing the person from further exposure to the lead What are the medications used for treating lead poisoning known as? chelating agents When was Title X created? 1992 What does Title X define LBP hazards as? any condition that causes exposure to lead from lead-contaminated dust, soil, or paint that is deteriorated or present on accessible, friction, or impact surfaces that would result in adverse human health effects established by the appropriate Federal agency Where does the "lead based paint free" exemption apply? in target housing that is being rented How often does Texas require a refresher to stay certified as an inspector? every 2 years (others are every 3 years) What is a clearance level? Values that indicate the max amount of lead allowed in dust on a surface following completion of a abatement activity. What is considered a child occupied facility? a building or part of a building that was constructed before 1978 that is visited regularly by the same child, 6 y.o. or younger, at least 2 days a week for at least 3 hours a day, 60 hours a year. (day-care center, preschool, kindergarten classroom) Define: Inspection a surface-by-surface investigation by a certified lead inspector/risk assessor to determine the presence of LBP including a written report explaining the results of the investigation. What conditions follow composite dust sampling? - composite dust samples shall consist of at least two subsamples - every component that is being tested shall be included in the sampling - shall NOT consist of subsamples from more than one type of component What are the two types of errors that are possible in LBP testing? - false negative - false positive What are the 2 types XRF's? - direct reader - spectrum analyzer What are 2 radioactive materials that are used in XRF's? - cobalt-57 isotope - cadmium-109 isotope The degree of damage suffered by an individual exposed to ionizing radiation is a function of which factors? - type of radiation involved - chemical form of the radiation - distance from the source - energy - duration of exposure What is the main source of radiation that humans are exposed to? natural background radiation (radon gas, naturally occurring radioactive elements, cosmic radiation from the sun and outer space) (about 300 mrem/year) What 3 factors affect your exposure to radiation? - time - distance - shielding What is used to measure your exposure to radiation? Dosimeter (rings and badges) What is a Performance Characteristics Sheet (PCS)? its a document that provides information necessary to conduct inspections of LBP such as detailed information regarding XRF readings taken on specific substrates, calibration check tolerances, and info describing the performance of each instrument for specific models of XRF instruments. What level is a substrate correction not necessary? at or above 4.0 mg/cm2 If substrate correction is needed, use test locations with XRF results of less than ________. 2.5 mg/cm2 The need for substrate corrections depends on: - the specific instruments used - the substrate - the initial reading levels - the PCS When are calibrations of your XRF instrument required? - at the beginning of the inspection - at the end of the inspection - every 4 hours How large of a paint sample must be taken when testing? It should be 2-4 square inches that is representative of the paint on the testing combination and is unobtrusive What are the lead hazard control practices that are prohibited by HUD? - Open-flame burning or torching - machine sanding or grinding w/o HEPA vacuum exhaust equipment - Abrasive blasting or sandblasting w/o HEPA vacuum exhaust equipment - Uncontained hydro blasting or high-pressure washing What is something that is crucial to include in your risk assessment report? the report should clearly state that all LBP hazards should be corrected What are the 2 key components of clearance testing? - a visual examination to determine that hazard control measures are complete and no new LBP hazards exist - dust sampling to verify that levels are below applicable standards What are the current EPA/HUD guidelines standard dust clearance levels for floors and window sills? floors = 100 µg/ft2 window sills = 500 µg/ft2 Interim controls include: - paint film stabilization - friction and impact surface treatments - dust removal - covering with non-permanent covering What is the final product of a risk assessment? A report listing all identified hazards and the options an owner has for controlling them. What are the 4 major types of regulated activities that accompany led hazard control work? - containment - work practices and OSHA requirements - waste management - cleanup and clearance What are the 4 functions of the final risk assessment report? - it summarizes the results noting where the hazards were found - indicates the range of hazard control options likely to be effective - includes all raw data and identifying information - in some jurisdictions may become a legal document What is the purpose of Title X legislation? The purpose is to develop a national infrastructure to eliminate quickly LBP hazards in ALL housing; to implement a LBP reduction program; to establish a workable framework, infrastructure, and standard of care for LBP hazard evaluation and reduction; to reduce childhood lead poisoning in govt housing. What is the difference between inspections and risk assessments? Inspections measure LBP concentrations on a surface-by-surface basis. Risk assessments identify LBP hazards. How can risk assessors and inspectors reduce their liability exposure? - doing a thorough job - limit the hazard identification to the date of the visit in the report - by using and citing recognized state-of-the-art procedures How many single-surface dust samples are necessary for evaluating hazards in each dwelling? at least 6-8 dust samples