How many micrograms are there in a milligram?

The correct answer is determined by understanding the metric system's unit conversions. There are 1,000 micrograms in a milligram. A microgram (mcg) is one-thousandth of a milligram (mg). Therefore, when converting milligrams to micrograms, you multiply by 1,000.

This fundamental metric conversion is critical, especially in fields like lead paint risk assessment where precise measurements of lead concentrations, often reported in micrograms, are necessary for evaluating health risks.

In this context, it helps to understand that selecting 1,000 micrograms in a milligram aligns properly with the conversion ratio, whereas other choices significantly overstate the number of micrograms in a milligram.