What is the typical recommended sampling template size for wipe sampling in lead clearance?

• A. 50 cm2 (5 cm x 10 cm)
• B. 75 cm2 (5 cm x 15 cm)
• C. 150 cm2 (15 cm x 10 cm)
• D. 100 cm2 (10 cm x 10 cm)

Answer: (D)

Standardized wipe sampling uses a fixed template area so the lead collected can be expressed as an amount per unit area and compared to clearance limits. The typical template is a 10 cm by 10 cm square, giving 100 cm^2 of surface. This size is large enough to gather a representative amount of dust but small enough to fit on most surfaces without overlapping edges or corners. It also keeps the calculation straightforward when converting to per-square-foot or per-square-meter metrics used in regulatory limits. Smaller templates may miss enough material and increase variability, while larger ones become impractical on many surfaces. For these reasons, 10 cm by 10 cm (100 cm^2) is the standard choice.