Which operation can generate lead dust and fumes?

The operation that can generate lead dust and fumes encompasses all of the listed activities: abrasive blasting, sanding, and demolition. Each of these processes can disturb surfaces that contain lead-based materials, thereby creating finely divided particles that can become airborne.

Abrasive blasting, often used for cleaning or surface preparation, involves striking the surface forcefully. If lead paint or lead-containing materials are present, this can generate a significant amount of lead dust.

Sanding also creates lead dust, particularly when sanding surfaces that have been painted with lead-based paint. The action of sanding causes lead particles to break free from the surface and mix with the surrounding air.

Demolition work may disturb lead-containing materials such as windows, doors, or walls, releasing lead dust and fumes into the environment as structures are taken down.

All of these operations pose a risk of lead exposure, particularly in older buildings where lead materials are more likely to be present. Therefore, any of these operations could result in the generation of lead dust and fumes, making the correct answer encompass all options provided. Understanding this is crucial for maintaining safety and compliance with regulations regarding lead exposure in construction and renovation work.