Ch 21 - Environmental Issues Flashcards
Define asbestos.
A mineral that was once used as insulation because it is resistant to fire and contains heat effectively; found in most residential homes built before 1978; asbestos insulation was banned that same year
Hazardous insulation that can create airborne contaminants that result in respiratory diseases and cancer.
Asbestos
Highly friable; as it ages, its fibers break down easily into tiny filaments and particles; when particles become airborne, they pose a health risk to humans
Asbestos
How to mitigate asbestos?
Encapsulation or removal
the sealing off of disintegrating asbestos
encapsulation
In NC, _________ report I now required before a permit will be issued for the reconstruction, renovation, or demolition of any residential or commercial structure.
Asbestos
Where does one dispose of asbestos waste?
at a licensed facility
Environmental Protection Act (EPA) estimates home much of the nation’s commercial and public buildings contain asbestos?
20 percent
A hazardous substance that can lead to serious damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cells.
Lead poisoning
Federal government estimates that lead is present in about ___ percent of all private housing build before 1978.
75 percent
When was the residential use of lead-based paint banned?
1978
An Act which requires persons selling or leasing residential housing constructed before 1978 must disclose the presence of known lead-based paint and provide purchasers or lessees with any relevant or reports.
Residential Lead-Based Hazard Reduction Act
NC law, this statute targets the elimination of lead-based paint in houses connected with HUD assisted projects
the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Act of 1971
Radioactive gas produced as a by-product of the natural decay of other radioactive substances.
Radon
How to mitigate Radon levels?
systems using ventilation systems or exhaust fans.
Federal law requires anyone who is paid to perform work that disturbs paint in housing and child-occupied facilities to be trained and certified
New EPA rule applied beginning April 2010
Due to modern construction practices, i.e. energy-efficient homes and buildings with airtight walls and windows, the potential for radon gas accumulation may increase or decrease?
Increase.
An insulating foam that can release harmful formaldehyde gases
Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI)
Hazardous material found in every state.
Radon
EPA sets safe levels of radon under how many picocuries?
4.0 (picocuries)
What health risks does exposure to urea-formaldehyde foam insulation pose?
Respiratory problems and eye/skin irritations, however, studies are inconclusive
A hazardous, colorless, odorless gas that occurs as a by-product of burning such as fuels
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
How to mitigate CO exposure?
ventilation and monitoring
What appliances produce CO? Hint: there are five of them.
Furnaces, water heaters, space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves
A hazardous substance, generated by the movement of electrical currents.
Electromagnetic Fields
Where can one get EMF tests?
power companies
What electrical appliances create small field of electromagnetic radiation?
clock radios, blow dryers, televisions, and computers all produce EMFs.
The water that exists under the earth’s surface within the tiny spaces of crevices in geological formations.
Groundwater.
Important Act, along with numerous state and federal laws have been enacted to preserve and protect the water supply (of pure, clean water for private and public water systems).
Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974
Runoff from waste disposal sites, leaking underground storage tanks, improperly discarded commercial byproducts, and pesticides and herbicides.
Ways water can become contaminated.
There are millions of these abandoned in the US.
Underground storage tanks (USTs)
What causes contamination to adjacent soil and groundwater?
Leaks in the USTs
How to mitigate USTs?
Detention, removal, or cleanup, but can be very expensive process
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of CERCLA does what?
Regulates the federal UST program
UST Program application?
Only underground tanks and piping storing either petroleum or certain hazardous substances.
Required to register their tanks and adhere to strict technical and administrative requirements that govern installation, maintenance, corrosion prevention, overspill prevention, monitoring, and record keeping.
Applies to commercial UST owners.
created in 1980; established a fund of $9 billion, called superfund, to clean up uncontrolled hazardous waste sites and to respond to spills.
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) (pronounced sers-lah)
Under CERCLA, a(n) _________ is liable when a release or a threat of release of a hazardous substance has occurred on the landowner’s property, regardless whether if it was the landowner’s actions or others (prior ownership).
Landowner
Where does a landowner who is not responsible for the contamination seek reimbursement for the cleanup?
Previous landowners, any other responsible party, or the Superfund.
Superfund Amendment?
In 1986, reauthorized the Superfund statutes to contain stronger cleanup standards and five times the funding.
Superfund amendment, recognized that certain cases, a landowner in the chain of ownership was innocent of wrongdoing and should not be held liable.
Innocent Landowner Immunity
Most common waste disposal method.
Landfills
How to mitigate aesthetic value of landfills and prevent erosion?
Capping with ventilation pipes
In NC, mere presence of mold in a residence is not a material fact unless it is in excessive amounts in usual locations.
True.
NC Dredge and Fill Act
An Act, in which a property owner must obtain a permit from the Coastal Resources Commission before participating in any dredging or filling that may affect vegetation or aquatic conditions; couples with the federal Clean Water Acts.
NC Sediment Pollution Control Act
An Act that handle problems that occur as a result of sedimentation in state waters.
Licensees NOT expected to discover hazard, but MUST disclose any known contaminant
Liability of Real Estate Professional
Who carries most liability regarding contaminants are particular parcel or real estate?
Seller
Others affected by environmental problems?
appraisers (i.e. exposure, adj market value) and insurers.
