What does a failed patch test result indicate?

A failed patch test result indicates that the surface in question has not met the requirements for effective lead paint encapsulation and that further assessment is necessary. When a patch test fails, it implies that the encapsulation material did not adhere properly to the lead-based paint surface. As a result, all painted components must be individually evaluated through separate patch testing to accurately determine their eligibility for encapsulation.

This process is crucial because each component may have different conditions affecting lead paint stability and encapsulation suitability. Evaluating each surface individually ensures that any necessary remediation measures can be specifically tailored to the conditions present on those components, providing a safer and more effective approach to managing lead hazards.

In contrast, other options do not accurately represent the implications of a failed patch test. For instance, stating that the entire building requires remediation is an overgeneralization since only specific surfaces may be affected. Additionally, claiming that the paint does not contain lead is inaccurate because a failed patch test does not provide information about the lead content itself—just the effectiveness of the proposed encapsulation. Therefore, addressing each surface component separately after a failed patch test is crucial for ensuring proper risk assessment and management.