key terms Flashcards
a method of controlling environmental contamination by sealing off a dangerous substance such as asbestos
encapsulation
used as a pigment and drying agent in alkyd oil-based paint in about 75% of housing built before 1978.
lead
an elevated level of ___ in the body can cause serious damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cells.
lead
Children under the age of ___ are most vulnerable to lead poisoning
6
A colorless chemical with a strong, pronounced odor. It was used widely in the manufacture of building materials and household products because of its preservative characteristics.
Formaldehyde
Often emitted as a gas, ___ is one of the most common and problematic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and is one of the few indoor pollutants that can be measured
Formaldehyde
a colorless, odorless gas that occurs due to incomplete combustion as a by-product of burning such fuels as wood, oil, and natural gas
carbon monoxide (CO)
fungi that grows in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. some can cause disease, and others play a role in biodegradation or production of antibiotics and enzymes
mold
water that exists under the earth’s surface within the tiny spaces or crevices in geological formations
Groundwater
___ forms the water table
groundwater
the natural level at which the ground is saturated
water table
Underground storage tanks are commonly found on sites where ___ are used or where ___ and ___ are located
Petroleum products are used
Gas stations and auto repair shops are located
___ are commonly found on sites where petroleum products are used or where gas stations and auto repair shops are located
Underground storage tanks (UST)
UST
Underground storage tanks
In residential areas, ___ are used to store heating oil.
Underground storage tanks (UST)
Over time, neglected Underground storage tanks may…
leak hazardous substances into the environment
___ may be located in commercial and industrial establishments for storing chemicals or process wastes.
Underground storage tanks (UST)
an enormous hole, either excavated for the purpose of waste disposal or left over from surface mining operations
Landfill
the process of laying 2 to 4 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
capping
defunct, derelict, or abandoned commercial or industrial sites. many have toxic wastes
brownfield
according to the US general accounting office, several hundred thousand ___ plague communities as eyesores and potentially dangerous and hazardous properties, and often contribute to the decline of surrounding urban property values
Brownfields
commonly called the superfund
comprehensive environmental response, compensation, and liability act (CERCLA)
federal law administered by the EPA that establishes a process for identifying parties responsible for creating hazardous waste sites, forcing liable parties to clean up toxic wastes, bringing legal action against responsible parties, and funding the abatement of toxic sites.
comprehensive environmental response, compensation, and liability act (CERCLA)
PRPs
Potentially responsible parties
Created a process for identifying potentially responsible parties and ordering them to take responsibility for the cleanup action
comprehensive environmental response, compensation, and liability act (CERCLA)
comprehensive environmental response, compensation, and liability act (CERCLA) is administered and enforced by the ___
EPA
In 1986, the US congress amended CERCLA with the ___. This amendment contains stronger cleanup standards for contaminated sites, increased funding for superfund, and clarifications of lender liability and innocent landowner immunity.
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA)
The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) created a concept called ___, which is a clause that establishes the criteria by which to judge whether a person or business could be exempted from environmental liability
Innocent Landowner Immunity
___ 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
innocent landowner immunity
Scientific or technical experts who can provide the most comprehensive studies for environmental information
Environmental assessors (aka environmental auditors)
a test of soil to determine if it will absorb and drain water adequately to use a septic system for sewage disposal
percolation test
