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220-1202 Practice Question: During a printer toner replacement, a technician…
During a printer toner replacement, a technician accidentally spills toner powder on the carpet. What is the correct procedure for cleaning up the spill?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that water can dissolve toner because it resembles ink, but toner is a dry plastic powder that requires specialized cleanup to avoid static ignition or permanent carpet damage.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a toner-rated vacuum or a damp cloth to carefully collect the spill.
Toner powder is a fine, electrically charged plastic dust that can be hazardous if inhaled or if it melts into carpet fibers. Using a toner-rated vacuum with a HEPA filter safely captures the particles without dispersing them, or a damp cloth can be used to gently lift the toner without smearing it deeper into the carpet. This procedure follows manufacturer safety guidelines and prevents damage to standard vacuums, which can ignite or spread the toner.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use a standard household vacuum cleaner to quickly remove the toner.
Why it's wrong here
A standard household vacuum cleaner is inappropriate for toner spills because its filters are not fine enough to trap the microscopic toner particles. Instead, the vacuum's exhaust will blow these fine particles into the air, creating a significant respiratory hazard and spreading the mess further. Furthermore, the static electricity generated by a standard vacuum can potentially ignite the airborne toner, which is a combustible powder.
- ✗
Wipe up the toner with a dry paper towel and dispose of it in the trash.
Why it's wrong here
Wiping a toner spill with a dry paper towel is ineffective and hazardous. The fine, powdery nature of toner means dry wiping will only spread the particles across a larger area and cause a significant amount to become airborne, increasing the risk of inhalation. Additionally, the friction from dry wiping can generate static electricity, which can cause the toner to adhere to surfaces or even create a minor static discharge.
- ✓
Use a toner-rated vacuum or a damp cloth to carefully collect the spill.
Why this is correct
A toner-rated vacuum is the safest and most effective method because it features a HEPA filter specifically designed to capture the extremely fine toner particles, preventing them from recirculating into the air. Alternatively, a lightly damp cloth can be used to carefully blot and lift the toner, as the moisture helps to bind the particles together and prevents them from becoming airborne, significantly reducing inhalation risks.
- ✗
Pour water on the spill to dissolve the toner, then mop it up.
Why it's wrong here
Pouring water on a toner spill is an incorrect approach because toner is primarily composed of plastic polymers, carbon black, and other additives, none of which are water-soluble. Instead of dissolving, the water will cause the fine toner powder to clump into a thick, sticky, and often slippery paste. This paste is significantly more difficult to clean and can permanently stain surfaces, exacerbating the initial problem.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.