assessment Flashcards
a highly friable mineral commonly used as insulation prior to being banned from use in construction as of 1978
asbestos
the process of selling off disintegrating asbestos and chipped or peeling lead based paint without removing it
encapsulation
a material once used in paint that can cause serious brain and nervous system damage
lead
a radioactive gas produced by the natural decay of other radioactive substances
radon
chemical used in foam insulation and certain wood products that can release harmful gases
urea formaldehyde
the process used to extract natural gas from the layers of rock in which it is embedded
hydraulic fracturing
the natural level at which the ground is saturated
water table
a site for the burial of waste
landfill
the process of covering a solid waste site with topsoil and plants
capping
money set aside by the comprehensive environmental response, compensation, and liability act to pay for the cleanup of uncontrolled hazardous waste sites and spills
superfund
the environmental protection agency estimates that approximately ___ commercial and public buildings have asbestos containing materials
733,000
asbestos removal is a dangerous, expensive process that can be performed only by ___ under ___.
trained & licensed technicians
controlled conditions
under the 1996 final regulations published by the environmental protection agency called the lead based paint hazard reduction act (LBPHRA), owners of homes built prior to 1978 are not required to test their properties for the presence of ___. Instead, they must complete a(n) ___ for potential buyers and renters
lead-based paint
lead-based paint disclosure statement
___ is a naturally occurring substance that is suspected of being a cause of lung cancer
radon
___ insulation can release harmful gases
urea-formaldehyde foam
___ based products can create airborne contaminants that may result in respiratory diseases
asbestos
___ is water that lies under the earth’s surface
groundwater
federal regulations on underground storage tanks do not apply to tanks used to collect ___ or ___
storm water
waste water
the process of laying 2 to 4 feet of soil over the top of a landfill site and then planting foliage to prevent erosion is called ___
capping
___ consists of a fan installed in a pipe running from the basement to the attic to draw radon up and out of the building
radon mitigation
___ can become contaminated when the earth’s natural filtering systems are inadequate to ensure clean water. buyers of homes with ___ should have the water tested.
groundwater
private wells
Real estate professionals should inform buyers of the need to ask and discover for themselves and not rely on ___ as warranties or guarantees. Sellers also need to fully ___ problems of which they are aware.
disclosure forms
disclose
although the EPA has published guidelines for the remediation and/or cleanup of mold and moisture problems in schools and commercial buildings, there are no federal requirements governing ___ of mold contamination.
disclosure
because ___ deplete the ozone layer of the earth, there is concern about their release. consumers should be aware of the types of appliances, such as refrigerators and air conditioners, which may contain this chemical so that they can be disposed of safely
CFCs
the superfund amendments and reauthorization act created a(n) “___” immunity status
innocent owner
asbestos is most harmful when it is ___ or ___
disturbed or exposed
In homes, the most-likely sources of ___ are pressed wood products such as particle board
formaldehyde emissions
possible causes of ___ can be roof leaks, unvented combustion appliances, and gutters that direct water to the building
mold problems
strict liability under the superfund means that the ___ is responsible to the injured party without excuse
owner
to protect against liability due to ___, real estate professionals should ask sellers about leaks, flooding, and prior damage
mold contamination
formaldehyde is classified as a probable ___
human carcinogen
the EPA now requires that landlords disclose known information on ___ and ____ before leases take effect`
lead paint
hazards
a seller accepts an offer on a home that was built in 1892. if the buyer requests a lead based paint inspection, the buyer has ___ days in which to obtain one at the buyer’s expense
10
where in the USA does radon occur?
All states
Which of these has been proven to pose a health hazard?
a) radon
b) asbestos
c) lead paint
d) all of the above
All of the above
asbestos, lead paint, and radon have all been proven to pose a(n) ___
health hazard
Hannah stores toxic chemical waste in a large steel tank that has only 15% of its volume underground. John lives in the wilderness and has a gas pump connected to a 1500 gallon tank of gasoline buried 10 feet underground near the garage. Lauren keeps 3 large tanks filled with formaldehyde and battery acid in the basement. Which of these property owners are covered by federal regulations regarding USTs?
Hannah and John
Who is responsible for administering the superfund?
EPA
If the owner had only constructive knowledge of the damage, they would be disqualified from claiming ___ immunity under the superfund amendments and reauthorization act
innocent landowner
if a potentially responsible party refuses to pay the expenses of cleaning up a toxic site, the EPA may bring a(n) ___ and be awarded ____ times the actual cost of cleanup
civil action
3 times
sealing off asbestos instead of removing it
encapsulation
lead based paint is found in about ___% of all private housing built before ___.
75%
1978
___ is the byproduct of fuel combustion that may result in death if such equipment is not properly vented
carbon monoxide
at least how much of a tank must be underground for it to be considered an underground storage tank?
10%
How can property owners help avoid carbon monoxide exposure?
have fuel burning heating systems checked and maintained annually
Caulking compounds are a source of ___
polychlorinated biphenyls
Which of these is a source of polychlorinated biphenyls?
a) plywood & particle board
b) small home appliances such as hair dryers or food processors
c) caulking compounds
d) computers
caulking compounds
___ is a serious environmental problem in buildings because it destroys material as it grows on and causes health problems for occupants
mold
the purpose of the brownfields law enacted in 2002 was that it distributes funds to clean up ___ so they can be restored to productive use
polluted industrial sites
What causes mold problems in buildings?
Chronic moisture problems
Gas created by the decay of radioactive elements
radon
To protect against this substance, IL requires detectors in residence
carbon monoxide
___ can be corrected by encapsulation
asbestos
___ is created by incomplete combustion
carbon monoxide
Asbestos is a mineral used in ___ and ___
insulation
other products
___ is measured in pCi/L
radon
Moisture encourages ___
mold growth
___ encourages mold growth
moisture
Real estate licensees are expected to be aware of ___ even though such issues are outside of their scope of training
environmental issues
if a moisture problem is not discovered or addressed, ___ can eventually destroy what it is growing on
mold growth
if a(n) ___ is not discovered or addressed, mold growth can eventually destroy what it is growing on
moisture problem
Real estate licensees are expected to be aware of ___ and must practice proper ___, encouraging buyer clients to seek outside expertise for testing & information whenever appropriate
environmental issues
disclosure
Real estate licensees are expected to be aware of environmental issues and must practice proper disclosure, encouraging buyer clients to seek outside expertise for ___ & ___ whenever appropriate
testing & information
the water that exists under the earth’s surface within the tiny spaces or crevices in geological formations
groundwater
___ are commonly found on sites where petroleum products are used or where gas stations and auto repair shops are located.
USTs
USTs are commonly found on sites where ___ are used or where ___ and ___ are located.
petroleum products
gas stations and auto repair shops
Neglected ___ may leak hazardous substances into the environment, permitting contaminants to pollute not only the soil surrounding it but also adjacent parcels and groundwater
USTs
___ is often performed on a property to show that due care was exercised in determining whether any environmental impairments exist
environmental site assessment
real estate licensees must be aware of ___ from both the subject property and neighboring properties, otherwise they may be held liable for improper disclosure.
potential environmental risks
real estate licensees must be aware of potential environmental risks from both the subject property and neighboring properties, otherwise they may be held liable for ___
improper disclosure.
natural level at which the ground is saturated
water table
the process of creating a(n) ___ involves waste and topsoil being layered in a pit, mounded up, and then covered with dirt and plants
landfill site
asbestos poses a risk due to particles or fibers in the ___
air
___ is an environmental hazard that poses a risk due to particles or fibers in the air
asbestos
asbestos is most dangerous when it…
crumbles and becomes airborne
a real estate licensee showed a pre-WWI house to a prospective buyer. the buyer has 2 toddlers and is worried about potential health hazards. This is because the house was built before ___, so it is likely that ___ is present.
1978
lead-based paint
the removal of asbestos can cause…
further contamination of a building
in regulations regarding lead based paint, HUD requires that…
known paint hazards be disclosed
___ is a method of sealing disintegrating asbestos
encapsulation
encapsulation is a method of…
sealing disintegrating asbestos
liability under CERCLA is ___, ___, and ___
strict
joint & several
retroactive
mold and mildew found in the home fall under which category of pollutants?
biological
which of these is NOT proven to pose a health hazard?
a) carbon monoxide
b) asbestos fibers
c) electromagnetic fields
d) lead based paint
electromagnetic fields
the agency primarily responsible for protecting IL natural resources against pollution and other hazards
IL Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)
which of the following are exempt from radon disclosure under the IL Radon Awareness Act?
a) transfers between neighbors
b) properties with 6+ units
c) transfers between co-owners
d) residential rentals, if radon has been detected and remediated in the past
transfers between co-owners
which of these is NOT exempt from disclosure regulations of the residential lead based paint hazard reduction act?
a) residences for disabled
b) senior housing
c) studio apartments where living area is not separated from sleeping area
d) duplex built before 1978
duplex built before 1978
a method of sealing of disintegrating asbestos
encapsulation
environmental regulations in IL are ___ to federal regulations
substantially equivalent
real estate licensees need to be aware of potential ___ sources
underground water contamination
___ concerning water supply have been enacted
protective state & federal laws
any ___ of underground water can threaten the supply of pure, clean water from private wells and public water systems
contamination
any contamination of underground water can threaten the supply of __, ___ from ___ and ___
pure, clean water
private wells
public sewer systems
underground water contamination is a(n) ___ problem in the USA
major
radon poses the greatest potential health risk to humans when it is ___ and ____ in ___
trapped and concentrates
inadequately ventilated areas
which segment of the population is most likely to obtain lead poisoning from paint?
children
the residential lead based paint hazard reduction act establishes procedures for disclosing presence of lead in ___ properties built before ___
residential
1978