Which method is NOT an example of interim control?

Interim control methods are strategies used to manage lead hazards temporarily while a more permanent solution is developed or implemented. Abatement refers to the permanent removal or encapsulation of lead hazards and is not considered an interim control.

Maintenance, painting, and remediation, on the other hand, are all methods that can serve as temporary measures to minimize exposure to lead while a comprehensive solution is being pursued. Maintenance can include routine checks and repairs to ensure that lead hazards do not develop or worsen. Painting, particularly with lead-safe practices, can encapsulate lead-based paint and act as a temporary barrier. Remediation involves addressing lead hazards in a way that reduces risk but doesn’t necessarily eliminate the source, making it suitable as an interim control.

Therefore, abatement stands apart as the definitive method aimed at the permanent resolution of lead hazards, which clarifies why it is not classified under interim controls.