CDPH Lead Inspector/Assessor California State Practice Exam

For collecting dust wipe samples, what is the preferred container?

1. Plastic bag

2. Wet wipes in hard, screw-top containers

3. Paper envelope

4. Open cardboard box

The correct answer is: Wet wipes in hard, screw-top containers

For collecting dust wipe samples, the preferred container is a hard, screw-top container. This choice is important because such containers protect the integrity of the samples during transport and storage. They minimize contamination and prevent the loss of particles that are critical for accurate analysis, ensuring that the samples are secure from environmental factors such as humidity and other contaminants that could compromise the results. Using wet wipes in hard, screw-top containers ensures that the moisture from the wipes is contained, which helps prevent the sample from drying out or degrading. This is particularly significant in lead assessment, where precision is crucial for determining lead levels in collected samples. Options like plastic bags may not provide the same level of protection against contamination, while paper envelopes and open cardboard boxes lack the seal necessary to protect samples from external factors, making them less ideal for maintaining the quality of dust wipe samples.