chapter 21 Environmental issues

Question 1

Asbestos

Answer 1

a fire resistant mineral that was once used extensively as insulation and to strengthen other materials

Question 2

Encapsulation

Answer 2

sealing off of disintegrating asbestos, is an alternate method of asbestos control that may be preferable to removal in certain circumstances, provided the condition of the encapsulated asbestos is monitored periodically to make sure it is not disintegrating.

Question 3

friable

Answer 3

as it ages asbestos fibers easily break down into tiny, very light filaments that stay in the air a long time when it is disturbed or exposed.

Question 4

lead

Answer 4

was used as a pigment and drying agent in alkyd oil-based paint.

Question 5

lead based paint hazard Reduction Act

Answer 5

requiring disclosure of presence of any known lead based paint hazards to potential buyers or renters

Question 6

radon

Answer 6

naturally occurring, colorless, tateless, radioactive gas produced by decay of other radioactive substances

Question 7

Formaldehyde

Answer 7

colorless chemical with a strong pronounced odor, is used widely in the manufacture of building materials and many household products because of its preservative characteristicw

Question 8

UFFI Urea-Formaldehyde Foam Insulation

Answer 8

foam insulation rarely used

Question 9

carbon monoxide

Answer 9

colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that occurs as a by-product of burning fuels such as wood, oil, and natural gas, owing to incomplete combustion.

Question 10

PCB’s

Answer 10

consist of more than 200 chemical compounds that are not found naturally in nature. Flame resistant, they were often used in electrical equipment, such as transformers, refrigerators.

Question 11

CFC’s

Answer 11

nontoxic, nonflammable chemicals uses as refrigerants in ac’s, fridges and freezers. they deplete the ozone layer

Question 12

Mold

Answer 12

can be found almost anywhere and can grow on almost any organic substance, as long as moisture, oxygen and organic food source are present. Moisture feeds mold growth

Question 13

brownfields

Answer 13

defunct, derelict or abandoned commercial or industrial sites many of which are suspected to contain waste

Question 14

Landfill

Answer 14

enormous hole, either excavated for the purpose of wast disposal or left over from surface mining operations.

Question 15

Capping

Answer 15

is the process of laying two to four feet of soil over the top of the site and then planting grass on it to enhance the landfill’s aesthetic value and prevent erosion

Question 16

CERCLA

Answer 16

established the SUPERFUND to clean up uncontrolled hazardous waste sites and to respond to spills

Question 17

Liability

Answer 17

a landowner is liable under CERCLA when a release or threat of release of hazardous substance has occurred on the landowner’s property.

Question 18

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization ACT

Answer 18

created an “innocent Landowner” immunity status. It recognized that, in certain cases, a landowner in the chain of ownership was completely innocent of all wrongdoing and therefore should not be held liable

Question 19

environmental assessors

Answer 19

scientific or technical experts who can provide the most comprehensive studies.

Question 20

Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)

Answer 20

is often preformed on a property to show that due care was exercised in determining whether any environmental impairments exist.

Question 21

Environmental Impact Statement

Answer 21

details the impact the project will have on the environment