CDPH Lead Inspector/Assessor California State Practice Exam

What is the protection factor offered by a full-face respirator?

1. 10

2. 50

3. 100

4. 1,000

The correct answer is: 50

A full-face respirator is designed to provide a high level of protection against airborne contaminants, including lead dust and fumes. The protection factor refers to how many times the respirator can reduce the exposure of the wearer to hazardous substances compared to the ambient air. In the case of a full-face respirator, the protection factor is generally rated at 50. This means that the level of contaminant in the air that reaches the wearer is reduced to 1/50th of the concentration present in the environment when the respirator is worn correctly and fitted properly. This is particularly important for lead inspection and assessment activities, where maintaining a safe breathing environment is crucial for worker safety. Options that reflect lower protection factors, such as 10 and 1,000, do not accurately correspond with the capabilities of a full-face respirator. The 1,000 factor implies a much higher level of protection than typically achievable with this type of respirator in standard applications. Understanding the protection factor helps in selecting the appropriate respiratory protection based on the specific hazards encountered in the workplace.