CDPH Lead Inspector/Assessor California State Practice Exam

In what scenarios is lead-based paint most frequently found?

1. In newly constructed homes

2. In homes renovated after 1978

3. In homes built prior to 1978

4. In commercial buildings only

The correct answer is: In homes built prior to 1978

Lead-based paint is most frequently found in homes built prior to 1978 due to the fact that the use of lead in residential paint was banned in the United States in that year. Homes constructed before this ban often utilized lead-based paint for its durability and color retention properties. As a result, any home built prior to this date has a higher likelihood of containing lead-based paint, making it an important consideration for lead inspection and assessment. Houses built after 1978 are unlikely to have lead-based paint, and while renovations on older homes can uncover lead paint, the homes themselves would still remain classified by their original construction date. Newly constructed homes, as they were built after the ban, would not contain lead paint. Commercial buildings can also vary widely, but the primary concern for lead-based paint prevalence is with residential properties built before the regulations were put in place. Therefore, identifying lead hazards specifically in older homes is crucial in lead safety and risk assessments.