When should paint chip samples be collected during a lead inspection?

• A. Always first.
• B. To speed up the process.
• C. When confirmatory laboratory analysis is required or when XRF readings are inconclusive or require verification.
• D. Only for exterior surfaces.

Answer: (C)

In a lead inspection, you start with a quick, non-destructive XRF scan to screen for lead. Paint chip samples are used when you need confirmatory laboratory analysis or when the XRF readings aren’t clear enough to rely on. XRF can be affected by surface conditions, multiple paint layers, or other factors, so sending chips to a qualified lab provides a precise, defensible measurement of lead content and verifies what the XRF suggested. So you collect chips specifically in cases where confirmatory analysis is required or the XRF results are inconclusive or need verification. It isn’t about speeding things up, and sampling isn’t limited to exterior surfaces—it’s done wherever verification is needed, interior or exterior.