Final answer:
Visual inspections are performed in the base-level, lead-based paint program to identify the presence of lead-based paint in older homes and assess the risk of lead exposure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Visual inspections are performed in the base-level, lead-based paint program to identify the presence of lead-based paint in older homes. Lead-based paint was banned in 1978, but many older homes still have it underneath newer layers of paint. Visual inspections can identify areas where the paint is deteriorating or where renovations have occurred, increasing the risk of lead exposure. Inspections help to identify potential sources of lead and allow for the implementation of preventive measures to reduce exposure.