Which statement about EPA soil lead standards is correct?

• A. High-contact soil standard is 400 ppm
• B. Low-contact soil standard is 400 ppm
• C. High-contact soil standard is 1200 ppm
• D. Low-contact soil standard is 2000 ppm

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is how EPA sets soil lead thresholds differently for soils based on how people (especially children) contact them. When kids play, they touch and may ingest more soil, so the EPA uses a lower threshold for high-contact areas like play zones. For areas with less contact, a higher threshold is used before action is needed.

So, the correct statement aligns with this risk-based approach: the high-contact soil standard is the lower threshold. The other options mix up which soil is assigned the lower threshold or assign implausibly low or high values for the low-contact standard, which doesn’t fit EPA practice.