What does an encapsulant do?

An encapsulant is a material specifically designed to form a barrier between lead-based paint and the environment. The primary function of an encapsulant is to seal off lead paint from contact with surfaces that can be disturbed or ingested, thereby reducing the risk of lead exposure. This method is often used when removing lead-based paint is either impractical or too hazardous.

Options that mentioned removal or testing do not align with the function of an encapsulant. For example, while lead can indeed be removed from surfaces through various methods, this is not what encapsulants do. Similarly, encapsulants do not test for lead presence; they simply act as a protective coating. The idea of "automatically healing" deteriorated paint does not reflect the role of an encapsulant because it cannot physically repair or restore paint but instead is intended to contain and manage existing lead hazards. Thus, forming a barrier effectively addresses the concern of lead exposure.