What does the term "risk assessment" specifically involve?

The term "risk assessment" specifically involves evaluating the likelihood of exposure to lead hazards and determining appropriate responses. This process is critical in identifying potential lead hazards and estimating the risk they pose to individuals, particularly vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women.

During a risk assessment, professionals look at various factors including the presence of lead sources in an environment, the probability of human exposure to these sources, and the potential health impacts associated with that exposure. Based on this information, they then recommend actions to mitigate or eliminate the risk, ensuring that health and safety measures are appropriately applied to protect individuals.

The other options, while related to the broader context of lead safety and health, do not encapsulate the primary focus of a risk assessment. Identifying health effects alone does not assess the likelihood of exposure or the need for intervention, while calculating costs or comparing lead levels are more about financial assessment and environmental analysis rather than direct risk to individuals.