How long after work completion should dust wipe sampling occur?

Dust wipe sampling should occur 1 hour after work completion to ensure that any lead-containing dust generated during the activities has settled. This timeframe allows for a more accurate assessment of surface lead contamination levels that may pose a risk to public health, especially in scenarios involving lead hazard remediation or abatement.

When sampling too soon, there is a risk that not all lead dust has had a chance to fall onto surfaces, leading to potentially misleading results. Conversely, waiting too long may allow for environmental factors to influence the dust present. Therefore, the 1-hour wait provides a balanced approach to accurately reflect the dust levels that could pose a risk if disturbed later.

This principle aligns with safe work practices and regulatory guidelines in lead hazard assessments, prioritizing both effective risk assessment and protection of residents or occupants in the environment being tested.