Chapter 34 Quiz: Hazardous Materials — Lead, Asbestos, Radon, and Mold
Multiple Choice
1. The EPA's ban on lead paint for residential use took effect in:
A) 1970 B) 1975 C) 1978 D) 1986
Answer: C — The Consumer Product Safety Commission banned lead-based paint for residential use in 1978. Homes built before this date may contain lead paint; homes built after should not (with limited exceptions for commercial paint incorrectly used).
2. The primary route of lead exposure from lead paint is:
A) Breathing vapors that off-gas from intact painted surfaces B) Ingesting or inhaling dust generated when lead paint is sanded, scraped, or otherwise disturbed C) Skin contact with intact painted surfaces D) Consuming water that has passed through lead-painted pipes
Answer: B — Intact lead paint poses minimal risk. The danger is dust generated by mechanical disturbance. Lead dust particles are very fine, spread through the air, settle on surfaces, and can be ingested (especially by young children).
3. The EPA's RRP (Renovation, Repair, and Painting) Rule requires certified contractors and lead-safe work practices specifically for:
A) Any renovation in any home built before 1986 B) Renovations in pre-1978 homes where children under six or pregnant women live or regularly visit, where the work disturbs lead paint C) Any home renovation involving paint removal, regardless of age D) Commercial construction projects involving lead-containing materials
Answer: B — The RRP Rule applies specifically to pre-1978 homes occupied or regularly visited by children under six or pregnant women. The trigger is both the age of the structure and the presence of vulnerable occupants.
4. The "if it ain't broke, don't break it" rule for asbestos means:
A) You should never test for asbestos — if you don't know it's there, you don't have to disclose it B) Intact, undamaged asbestos-containing materials that will not be disturbed pose minimal immediate risk and are often best left in place C) Asbestos-containing materials should only be removed if they show visible deterioration D) Disturbing asbestos is permitted as long as you wear an N95 respirator
Answer: B — Asbestos fibers are released when ACM is physically disturbed. Intact materials that won't be disturbed are lower risk than removal, which generates fibers if done incorrectly.
5. Radon enters homes primarily through:
A) Contaminated municipal water supplies B) Off-gassing from building materials like concrete and drywall C) Gaps, cracks, and openings in the foundation where the building contacts soil D) Air ducts that run through attic spaces
Answer: C — Radon is a soil gas that forms from uranium decay in soil and rock. It enters homes through foundation cracks, construction joints, sump pits, and gaps around service pipes.
6. The EPA's action level for radon — the level at which mitigation is recommended — is:
A) 1 pCi/L B) 2 pCi/L C) 4 pCi/L D) 10 pCi/L
Answer: C — The EPA recommends mitigation when testing reveals 4 pCi/L or above, and considers mitigation for levels between 2–4 pCi/L. The average U.S. indoor radon level is approximately 1.3 pCi/L.
7. A sub-slab depressurization (SSD) radon mitigation system works by:
A) Introducing fresh air into the basement to dilute radon concentrations B) Sealing all cracks and openings in the foundation with epoxy C) Creating negative pressure below the slab to draw soil gas through a pipe and exhaust it outside above the roofline D) Installing a HEPA filter on the HVAC system to capture radon particles
Answer: C — SSD uses a fan to create negative pressure below the foundation slab, drawing radon-containing soil gas through a PVC pipe and discharging it outside the building above the roof level. This is the most effective and common residential mitigation approach.
8. Proper mold remediation of porous materials (such as drywall) requires:
A) Spraying with diluted bleach and allowing to dry B) Painting over the mold with antimicrobial paint C) Removing and discarding the contaminated material after fixing the moisture source D) HEPA vacuuming the surface and sealing with shellac primer
Answer: C — Mold hyphae penetrate porous materials and cannot be fully killed or removed by surface treatment. Porous materials with significant mold growth must be removed, discarded, and replaced after the moisture source is corrected.
9. Federal law requires sellers of pre-1978 homes to:
A) Test for lead paint and remediate any hazards before selling B) Provide buyers with the EPA lead pamphlet and disclose any known lead paint hazards, and give buyers a 10-day inspection period C) Enclose or remove all lead paint within 90 days of listing D) Disclose only if children are expected to occupy the property
Answer: B — Title X (the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act) requires disclosure of known hazards, provision of the EPA pamphlet, and a 10-day inspection period. It does not require sellers to test or remediate — it requires disclosure of what they know.
10. Mold problems in homes are fundamentally problems of:
A) Poor air quality management B) Building material off-gassing C) Moisture — mold cannot grow without a moisture source D) Inadequate HEPA filtration in the HVAC system
Answer: C — Mold spores are everywhere. They grow when they encounter organic material and moisture. Addressing the moisture source is mandatory for successful remediation — without it, mold will return.
Short Answer
Question 11: Dave Kowalski tested his basement home office and received a radon result of 8.2 pCi/L. He has used the space 40+ hours per week for six years. Explain why this result is actionable and describe the first two steps he should take.
Sample Answer: At 8.2 pCi/L — more than twice the EPA action level — Dave's long-term cumulative exposure is significant. EPA estimates suggest that at 8 pCi/L, approximately 21 out of 1,000 people exposed over a lifetime would develop lung cancer from radon (more than five times the risk at 1.3 pCi/L). For someone who has already had six years of heavy exposure, the priority is to stop additional accumulation. His first step is to immediately reduce time in the basement until mitigation is complete — not eliminate use, but minimize it during the interim period. His second step is to contact two or three state-certified radon mitigators for assessment and quotes on a sub-slab depressurization system. Installation typically takes one to two days; post-installation testing confirms effectiveness. He should also consult with his physician about his cumulative exposure history.
Question 12: Why does the distinction between "friable" and "non-friable" asbestos matter when planning a renovation? Give an example of each.
Sample Answer: The distinction matters because fiber release — and therefore health risk — depends on how easily the material can be broken down into airborne particles. Friable asbestos-containing material can be crumbled by hand pressure, releasing fibers easily into the air. An example is deteriorated pipe insulation — the fluffy, soft wrapping around steam pipes in an older basement that crumbles when touched. Non-friable ACM is firmly bonded and requires significant mechanical force to break down. An example is intact 9-inch vinyl floor tile — you cannot crumble it by hand. For renovation purposes, friable ACM must be handled with full professional abatement protocols; non-friable ACM may allow more management flexibility (encapsulation, enclosure, or careful removal with wet methods) depending on state regulations. The key risk factor isn't the asbestos content — it's the probability that the material will release fibers during and after handling.