CDPH Lead Inspector/Assessor California State Practice Exam

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What is the primary way most children are exposed to lead?

Ingestion of lead dust
Inhalation of lead particles
Skin contact with lead paint
Drinking lead-contaminated water

The correct answer is: Ingestion of lead dust

The primary way most children are exposed to lead is through the ingestion of lead dust. This exposure typically occurs in environments where lead-based paint is present, especially in older homes built before 1978 when the use of lead in residential paint was banned in the United States. Children often play in areas where lead dust accumulates, such as window sills and floors, and they may inadvertently ingest lead dust by putting their hands or toys in their mouths after touching contaminated surfaces. Additionally, lead dust can settle on food and eating utensils, leading to further ingestion. Because children are naturally curious and tend to explore their environment through touch and taste, they are at a higher risk of swallowing lead-contaminated dust compared to other exposure routes. This form of exposure is particularly concerning due to the child's developing brain and body, making lead toxicity more harmful at younger ages. While inhalation of lead particles and drinking lead-contaminated water can also lead to exposure, they are not as common or significant as ingestion of lead dust in the context of children's exposure. Skin contact with lead paint does not effectively lead to elevated lead levels in the bloodstream as readily as ingestion does.