If you see both sides of a door, should you test both sides for lead paint?

If you see both sides of a door, should you test both sides for lead paint?

• A. No
• B. Yes
• C. Only peeling paint side
• D. Only the smoother side

Answer: (B)

Testing both sides of a door is important because each surface can have its own paint history. One side could have lead-containing paint while the other does not, and doors are high-contact surfaces that can generate lead dust through friction. By testing both faces, you get a complete picture of lead presence, which is essential for accurately assessing exposure risk and deciding on appropriate safety actions. Use an approved method and sample areas most likely to shed dust or be disturbed, such as edges and corners, and don’t assume one side is free of lead just because the other side isn’t.

Testing both sides of a door is important because each surface can have its own paint history. One side could have lead-containing paint while the other does not, and doors are high-contact surfaces that can generate lead dust through friction. By testing both faces, you get a complete picture of lead presence, which is essential for accurately assessing exposure risk and deciding on appropriate safety actions. Use an approved method and sample areas most likely to shed dust or be disturbed, such as edges and corners, and don’t assume one side is free of lead just because the other side isn’t.