Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead Risk Assessor Practice Exam

If a dust wipe has a recovery rate of 65%, is it acceptable to use?

1. Yes, it meets the standards

2. No, it falls below the acceptable range

3. It depends on the situation

4. Only if verified by a second test

The correct answer is: No, it falls below the acceptable range

A dust wipe recovery rate of 65% does not meet the established standards for acceptable recovery rates in lead risk assessments. Typically, the standard recovery rate for dust wipes should be above 70% to ensure reliable and accurate measurements of lead contamination. A lower recovery rate can indicate that not enough of the dust or lead particles were captured during the sampling process, potentially leading to an underestimation of lead exposure risks. Therefore, while the specific situation may vary, the fundamental guideline remains that a recovery rate under the acceptable threshold raises concerns about the validity of the results, making the use of such a wipe inappropriate for lead risk assessment purposes.