What is a key purpose of a surface wipe (frottis)?

What is a key purpose of a surface wipe (frottis)?

• A. To provide a semi-quantitative evaluation of lead contamination on surfaces, PPE, or tools
• B. To measure the surface's moisture content
• C. To check the color under lights
• D. To determine substrate porosity

Answer: (D)

Surface wipe sampling is about checking surfaces and equipment for residues of hazardous contaminants. The main purpose is to collect a sample with a wipe and obtain a semi-quantitative estimate of how much contaminant—such as lead—is present on a surface, PPE, or tools. This helps determine exposure risk, the effectiveness of cleaning, and whether controls are needed. Moisture content, color under lighting, and substrate porosity are not evaluated by a wipe test. Those properties require other methods: moisture is measured with a moisture meter, color is assessed visually or with colorimetric tests, and porosity is determined by porosimetry or absorption tests, not by surface wipe sampling.

Surface wipe sampling is about checking surfaces and equipment for residues of hazardous contaminants. The main purpose is to collect a sample with a wipe and obtain a semi-quantitative estimate of how much contaminant—such as lead—is present on a surface, PPE, or tools. This helps determine exposure risk, the effectiveness of cleaning, and whether controls are needed.

Moisture content, color under lighting, and substrate porosity are not evaluated by a wipe test. Those properties require other methods: moisture is measured with a moisture meter, color is assessed visually or with colorimetric tests, and porosity is determined by porosimetry or absorption tests, not by surface wipe sampling.