EPA Risk Assessor Exam Study Guide
2023
Risk Assessment – Correct Answer An on-site investigation of a residential dwelling for
lead-based paint hazards. Risk assessment includes investigating the age, history,
management and maintenance of the dwelling; conducting a visual assessment,
performing limited environmental sampling, such as dust wipe samples, soil samples,
and deteriorated paint samples, and reporting the results that identify acceptable
abatement and interim control strategies based on specific conditions and the owner’s
capabilities.
Inspection – Correct Answer A surface-by-surface investigation for determining the
presence of lead-based paint (and in some cases, sampling for lead in dust and soil)
and a report of the results.
Lead-based paint hazard – Correct Answer Any condition that causes exposure to lead
from lead contaminated dust, lead-contaminated soil, deteriorated lead-based paint, or
from lead-based paint present on accessible, friction, or impact surfaces would result in
adverse human health effects.
Primary Prevention – Correct Answer Lead-based paint risk assessments and/or
inspections and abatement and/or interim controls in housing before children are lead
poisoned.
Secondary Prevention – Correct Answer Blood lead screening programs to identify
children who already have elevated blood lead levels.
Tertiary Prevention – Correct Answer Medical treatment/ management of children to
prevent acute injuries or death from lead poisoning.
What was the purpose of Title X legislation? (4) – Correct Answer 2-20
What is the historical importance of Housing Authority Risk Retention Group (HARGG)?
- Correct Answer 2-20
What’s the difference between a lead inspection and a risk assessment? – Correct
Answer 2-20, 3-5
What are the 7 steps of the Risk Assessment process? – Correct Answer 1. Obtain
background information
- Determine the most appropriate evaluation process for the owner’s dwelling(s)
- Schedule the site visit
- Conduct the evaluation (including visual assessment and environmental sampling)
- Determine the actual hazards (if any)
- Identify options for reducing or eliminating these hazards
- Produce a written report
What are four other types of assessments? – Correct Answer 1. Lead hazard screen - Combination risk assessment
- Clearance
- EBL Child Investigation
Lead Hazard Screen – Correct Answer 2-21
A “negative screen”- a limited set of risk assessment procedures that may act to exempt
a dwelling from the full risk assessment requirements.
Combination Risk Assessment – Correct Answer 2-21
EBL Child Investigation – Correct Answer 2-21
Title X (199_) – Correct Answer 1992. Residential Lead based Paint Hazard Reduction
Act
3 Sources of Legal Liability – Correct Answer Statutory law, administrative law, and
common law
LBPPPA (19__) – Correct Answer 1971 Lead-based Poisoning Prevention Act
Tort Law – Correct Answer Civil “wrong” or breach of a standard behavior or failure to
use reasonable care for which a court orders a monetary remedy called “damages”.
Contract Law – Correct Answer Relates to situations in which a person breaks or
“breaches” a legally enforceable written or oral agreement or contract. Court can order
remedies like monetary damages.
Name 2 examples of liability under Tort Law: – Correct Answer Negligence
Vicarious Liability
Negligence – Correct Answer Failure to fulfill all of your duties/ failure to exercise the
standard of care to which a reasonable Risk Assessor or contractor would adhere.
Vicarious Liability – Correct Answer Employer is legally responsible for the acts,
ommissions and wrongful behavior (torts) of his/her employees.
Plaintiff needs to prove 4 elements: - Act or omission
- Duty
- Cause
- Injury
Indemnification – Correct Answer 2-27
What are at least 4 principles risk assessors should follow to avoid legal liability under
tort law? – Correct Answer 2-26 E.g. document everything, never say anything is “lead
free”, say that a risk assessment only applies to the present status of the property, keep
records
Describe at least four important objectives of the initial property owner contact prior to
conducting risk assessment? – Correct Answer 3-18
What are the 5 different evaluation options that can be recommended to the property
owner? – Correct Answer Combination risk assessment/ inspection
Risk assessment
Paint inspection
lead hazard Screen
Investigation for EBL
What are 6 different motivating factors that affect what type of evaluation option to
choose? – Correct Answer 3-18 E.g. legal requirement, liability issues, preventative
measures, response to a lead poisoning case
What’s the difference between a risk assessment and an EBL child investigation? –
Correct Answer 3-8, 3-9
T/F: The risk assessor should be involved in the process of selecting a contractor. –
Correct Answer False
How long does visual assessment and sampling take? – Correct Answer 45 minutes – 3
hours
T/F: Risk assessors should always go ahead and educate the tenants about lead
poisoning. – Correct Answer False
What are the benefits of preliminary data collection to assist risk assessment? – Correct
Answer 3-13
Scenario: You arrive on premises and are scheduled to conduct a visual assessment of
the property. Which do you take note of?
- There are big cracks in the walls.
- Ceiling is leaking in the bathroom and the kitchen.
- The window wells are in disrepair- and contain paint chips.
- Right across the street there’s a battery recycling shop. – Correct Answer All of the
above
What are the 3 categories of paint film quality? – Correct Answer Intact
Fair
Poor