What action should be taken if a lead hazard screen indicates further assessment is needed?

When a lead hazard screen indicates that further assessment is necessary, conducting a full risk assessment is the appropriate action to take. A lead hazard screen is designed to identify potential lead hazards but does not provide a comprehensive evaluation. Therefore, if the screen suggests that there may be lead-related risks, a full risk assessment expands on that initial screening by systematically examining the property for the presence of lead-based hazards, considering factors such as the condition of paint, dust, soil, and any other possible sources of lead exposure.

This thorough assessment also typically includes testing and may involve sampling paint, dust, or soil to determine the levels of lead present. The results from the risk assessment will guide further actions, such as remediation or lead abatement plans if lead hazards are confirmed.

In contrast, the other options present actions that do not align with appropriate safety protocols. Performing immediate lead abatement prior to a full risk assessment could result in unnecessary work or insufficient mitigation if the hazards are not fully understood. Ignoring the results of a lead hazard screen would leave potential risks unaddressed. Simply notifying homeowners is insufficient because without an assessment, they remain unaware of the actual risk and corresponding steps that need to be taken to protect health. Thus, conducting a full risk assessment is