Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead Risk Assessor Practice Exam

What should be used to make spiked wipe samples in the field?

1. Any type of wet wipes

2. A brand similar to the field wipes

3. Same brand of wet wipes used in the field

4. Disposable towels

The correct answer is: Same brand of wet wipes used in the field

Using the same brand of wet wipes that are used in the field for making spiked wipe samples is crucial for ensuring the consistency and reliability of contamination data. When conducting lead risk assessments, it is important for the spiked wipe samples to closely mimic the actual conditions and materials used in the field. By using the same brand, any variability due to differences in the composition, materials, or absorbency of the wipes is minimized. This standardization helps achieve more accurate and comparable results when assessing lead contamination levels. Using any type of wet wipes or a brand similar to the field wipes could introduce unpredictable variables, potentially leading to discrepancies in the sample results. Disposable towels might also not have the same surface characteristics or absorbency as the wet wipes used in the field, thus compromising the reliability of the spiked samples.