In a pre-1978 dwelling, an inspector must never assume which of the following about paint?

In a pre-1978 dwelling, an inspector must never assume which of the following about paint?

• A. That paint contains high levels of lead.
• B. That paint is free of lead without testing.
• C. That the surface is free of lead contaminants.
• D. That XRF testing is unnecessary.

Answer: (B)

Never assume paint is free of lead in homes built before 1978 without testing. Lead-based paint was common in that era, and hazards can exist even on surfaces that look ordinary or seem intact. The only reliable way to know if lead is present and at what level is to test—using a screening tool like XRF or a laboratory analysis for confirmation. This is why the statement that paint is free of lead without testing is the one you should never make. Calling for high lead levels without testing isn’t something you can rely on either, and assuming a surface is free of lead simply because it’s old or appears clean isn’t safe without test results. Also, treating XRF testing as unnecessary contradicts the practice of confirming lead presence before making hazard determinations.

Never assume paint is free of lead in homes built before 1978 without testing. Lead-based paint was common in that era, and hazards can exist even on surfaces that look ordinary or seem intact. The only reliable way to know if lead is present and at what level is to test—using a screening tool like XRF or a laboratory analysis for confirmation. This is why the statement that paint is free of lead without testing is the one you should never make.

Calling for high lead levels without testing isn’t something you can rely on either, and assuming a surface is free of lead simply because it’s old or appears clean isn’t safe without test results. Also, treating XRF testing as unnecessary contradicts the practice of confirming lead presence before making hazard determinations.