Which statement best differentiates a lead inspection from a lead risk assessment?

• A. An inspection identifies the presence and location of lead-based paint; a risk assessment evaluates hazards, exposure pathways, and recommends actions.
• B. A risk assessment only tests soil.
• C. Both are identical.
• D. An inspection analyzes asbestos; a risk assessment tests for mold.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is telling apart a simple presence check from a hazards-and-exposure analysis with action planning. A lead inspection determines whether lead-based paint is present, and where it is located, along with its condition. A lead risk assessment goes further by evaluating the actual hazards and how people could be exposed—through dust, soil, deteriorating paint, or other pathways—and then recommending actions to reduce that exposure, often with a prioritized plan for remediation or management. This is why risk assessments consider multiple exposure routes and provide a course of action, not just a yes/no on presence. The other options don’t fit: risk assessment is not limited to soil, they are not identical, and inspecting for lead isn’t about asbestos or mold.