Unit 21 Quiz Questions

Question 1

Individuals exposed to formaldehyde may suffer from

a. paralysis.
b. eye irritations.
c. mold infections.
d. blood disorders.

Answer 1

Eye irritations.

Although formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause it in humans, it is primarily responsible for triggering respiratory problems, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and asthma, as well as eye and skin irritations

Question 2

Lead is commonly found in

a. soldered water pipes.
b. latex paint.
c. soil around national parks.
d. insulating material.

Answer 2

soldered water pipes

Asbestos, not lead, was formerly used for insulating material.

Question 3

A seller accepts an offer on a home that was built in 1892. Which of these statements about lead-based paint is TRUE?

a. The seller has no lead-based paint discovery requirement..
b. If the seller is aware of any lead-based paint on the premises, the seller need not disclose that fact to the buyer.
c. If the buyer requests a lead-based paint inspection, the seller has ten days in which to obtain one at the buyer’s expense.
d. The seller is entitled to receive a pamphlet that describes the hazards posed by lead-based paint.

Answer 3

If the buyer requests a lead-based paint inspection, the seller has ten days in which to obtain one at the buyer’s expense.

No one is required to test for lead, but federal law gives the prospective buyer 10 days (or any time agreed to, or the buyer may waive the right) to have the home tested for lead at the buyer’s expense.

Question 4

Where in the United States does radon occur?

a. Mostly in the western states
b. Mostly in the warm southern and southwestern regions
c. In every state in the United States
d. Only in large urban areas

Answer 4

In every state in the United States

Radon has been found in every state, although it’s more likely to be found in some states than in others. The only way to know for sure if it is present is to have the building tested.

Question 5

Which of these has been proven to pose a health hazard?

a. Asbestos
b. Lead-based paint
c. Radon
d. All of these

Answer 5

All of these.

Asbestos, lead-based paint, and radon have all been proven to cause adverse health effects in humans.

Question 6

H stores toxic chemical waste in a large steel tank that has only 15% of its volume underground. J lives in the wilderness and owns a gas pump connected to a 1,500-gallon tank of gasoline buried ten feet underground near the garage. L keeps three large tanks filled with formaldehyde and battery acid in the basement. Which of these people are covered by federal regulations regarding USTs?

a. H and L
b. H and J only
c. L only
d. J only

Answer 6

H and J only.

Because H’s tank is more than 10% underground, this storage of toxic chemical waste is covered by the law. J’s tank is completely underground, so it is covered. Because L’s tanks are in a basement, rather than underground, they are not covered.

Question 7

Which of these is responsible for administering the Superfund?

a. EPA
b. PRP
c. CERCLA
d. HUD

Answer 7

EPA

The Superfund is administered by the EPA. CERCLA is the law that established the Superfund.

Question 8

Which of these would disqualify someone from claiming innocent landowner immunity under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA)?

a. The pollution was caused by a third party.
b. A landowner exercised due care when the property was purchased.
c. A landowner had constructive knowledge of the hazard.
d. A landowner used due diligence in the exercise of ownership rights.

Answer 8

A landowner had constructive knowledge of the hazard.

Landowners cannot claim innocent landowner immunity if they had actual or constructive knowledge of the damage.

Question 9

If a potentially responsible party (PRP) refuses to pay the expenses of cleaning up a toxic site, the EPA may

a. bring a criminal action and have the PRP jailed for up to ten years.
b. bring a civil action and be awarded three times the actual cost of the cleanup.
c. bring an administrative action and be awarded the actual cost of the cleanup, plus court costs.
d. have no legal recourse.

Answer 9

Bring a civil action and be awarded three times the actual cost of the cleanup.

A PRP is a potentially responsible party. If the PRP does not clean up the site, the EPA bills the PRP for the cost. Then, if the PRP still refuses to pay, the EPA can seek damages in court for up to three times the actual cost of cleanup

Question 10

Sealing off asbestos instead of removing it is called

a. encapsulation.
b. capping.
c. irresponsible remediation.
d. extended liability.

Answer 10

Encapsulation

Encapsulation is the sealing off of disintegrating asbestos. Capping is covering over the top of a landfill with dirt and landscaping.

Question 11

Lead-based paint is found in about 75% of all private housing built before

a. 1978.
b. 1985.
c. 1992.
d. 1996.

Answer 11

1978

The federal government estimates that lead is present in about 75% of all private housing built before 1978, the year the Federal government banned the use of lead in interior paints, stains, and varnishes.

Question 12

Which of these is the byproduct of fuel combustion that may result in death if such equipment is not properly vented?

a. Radon
b. Lead
c. Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation
d. Carbon monoxide

Answer 12

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is a byproduct of incomplete combustion. High concentrations of CO can lead to death

Question 13

At least how much of a tank must be underground for it to be considered an underground storage tank?

a. 10%
b. 15%
c. 25%
d. 35%

Answer 13

10%

The official definition of an underground storage tank is one that is at least 10% underground.

Question 14

How can property owners help avoid carbon monoxide exposure?

a. Have a fuel-burning heating system checked and maintained annually
b. Have the basement tested for carbon monoxide seeping in from the soil
c. Encapsulate sources of carbon monoxide emissions
d. Install attic vents

Answer 14

Have a fuel-burning heating system checked and maintained annually.

Heating systems are prime sources of carbon monoxide if they are poorly vented or poorly maintained.

Question 15

Which of these is a source of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)?

a. Plywood and particle board
b. Small home appliances, such as hair dryers or food processors
c. Caulking compounds
d. Computers

Answer 15

Caulking compounds

Sources of PCBs include caulking compounds, electrical transformers, and hydraulic oil in older equipment.

Question 16

Why is mold a serious environmental problem in buildings?

a. It causes stains and a fuzzy growth on walls.
b. It destroys material it grows on and causes health problems for occupants.
c. It has an unpleasant odor.
d. It produces spores that can spoil food.

Answer 16

It destroys material it grows on and causes health problems for occupants.

Mold can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks.

Question 17

What is the purpose of the Brownfields Law enacted in 2002?

a. It restores wilderness and agricultural areas damaged by toxic waste.
b. It is specifically dedicated to cleaning up PCB spills and dumps.
c. It establishes incinerators to destroy UFFI, DDT, and other persistent chemicals.
d. It distributes funds to clean up polluted industrial sites so the dangers they present can be removed and the land can be restored to productive use.

Answer 17

It distributes funds to clean up polluted industrial sites so the dangers they present can be removed and the land an be restored to productive use.

Brownfields are defined as defunct, derelict, or abandoned commercial or industrial sites. Many have toxic wastes.

Question 18

What causes mold problems in buildings?

a. Insects
b. Chronic moisture problems
c. Fiberglass building materials
d. Air pollution

Answer 18

Chronic moisture problems.

Moisture, oxygen, and a cellulosic food source feed mold growth. Mold can gradually destroy virtually anything on which it is growing.

Question 19

Regarding the federal Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act, which statement is TRUE?

A. All residential housing built before 1978 must be tested for the presence of lead-based paint before being listed for sale or rent.
B. A disclosure statement must be attached to all sales contracts and leases involving residential properties built before 1978.
C. A lead-hazard pamphlet must be distributed to all prospective buyers but not to tenants.
D. Purchasers of housing built before 1978 must be given five days to test the property for the presence of lead-based paint.

Answer 19

a disclosure statement must be attached to all sales contracts and leases involving residential properties built before 1978.

The answer is a disclosure statement must be attached to all sales contracts and leases involving residential properties built before 1978. Althoughno remediation of the property is required, a lead-based paint warning disclosure statement must be completed and signed by the parties and a copy attached to any sales contract or lease for a residential property built before 1978. In the disclosure statement, buyers and renters acknowledge receiving a HUD booklet about protecting one’s family from lead-based paint hazards.

Question 20

The term encapsulation refers to

A. the process of sealing a landfill with three to four feet of topsoil.
B. the way in which insulation is applied to pipes and wiring systems.
C. the method of sealing disintegrating asbestos.
D. the way in which lead-based paint particles become airborne.

Answer 20

the method of sealing disintegrating asbestos

The answer is the method of sealing disintegrating asbestos. Wrapping or enclosing with an airtight covering is encapsulating. This is the safest way of dealing with much of the friable (flaking) asbestos that already exists in housing and office buildings.

Question 21

A real estate professional showed a pre-World War I house to a prospective buyer. The buyer has two toddlers and is worried about potential health hazards. Which of the following is TRUE?

A. There is a risk that urea-formaldehyde foam insulation was used in the original construction.
B. The real estate professional can offer to personally inspect for lead and remove any lead risks.
C. Because of the age of the house, there is a good likelihood of the presence of lead-based paint.
D. Removal of lead-based paint and asbestos hazards is covered by standard title insurance policies.

Answer 21

Because of the age of the house, there is a good likelihood of the presence of lead-based paint.

The answer is because of the age of the house, there is a good likelihood of the presence of lead-based paint. Pre–World War I means before 1914. Lead based paint and varnishes were commonly used in housing interiors until it was outlawed in 1978. There is great likelihood that lead-based products are present in such an old building, even if many layers of non-lead products have been applied over them

Question 22

Which of the following is TRUE regarding asbestos?

A. Improper removal of asbestos can cause further contamination of a building.
B. Asbestos causes health problems only when it is eaten.
C. The level of asbestos in a building is affected by weather conditions.
D. HUD requires that all asbestos-containing materials be removed from all residential buildings.

Answer 22

improper removal of asbestos can cause further contamination of a building.

The answer is improper removal of asbestos can cause further contamination of a building. Removal must only be done by skilled, licensed contractors. Once disturbed, asbestos can remain suspended in air for long periods of time before settling and then being disturbed once again.

Question 23

A factor that may contribute to the growth of mold is

A.high humidity.
B. adequate ventilation
C. intact roofing.
D.properly installed gutters

Answer 23

High Humidity

The answer is high humidity. Mold grows where there is moisture, such as in areas of high humidity, where a roof leaks, or where water is not routed away properly by the gutters.

Question 24

Federal underground storage tank (UST) regulations require that

A. home fuel oil tanks in basements be registered with the EPA.
B. septic tanks be pumped every five years.
C. liquid petroleum tanks that store at least 10% of their volume underground be in compliance.
D. states not develop regulations more stringent than the federal requirements.

Answer 24

liquid petroleum tanks that store at least 10% of their volume underground be in compliance.

The answer is liquid petroleum tanks that store at least 10% of their volume underground be in compliance. Federal regulations impose strict requirements on landowners about USTs. States may impose even more stringent controls. Exceptions to federal regulations include septic tanks and home heating oil tanks.

Question 25

Which of the following describes the process of creating a landfill site?

A. Waste is liquefied, treated, and pumped through pipes to tombs under the water table.
B. Waste and topsoil are layered in a pit, mounded up, and then covered with dirt and plants.
C. Waste is compacted and sealed in a container, then placed in a tomb designed to last several thousand years.
D. Waste is buried in an underground concrete vault.

Answer 25

waste and topsoil are layered in a pit, mounded up, and then covered with dirt and plants.

The answer is waste and topsoil are layered in a pit, mounded up, and then covered with dirt and plants. Putting down alternate layers of waste and topsoil in a pit, and then capping it with soil and vegetation, creates a landfill.

Question 26

With the exception of the innocent landowner, liability under the Superfund is

A. limited to the owner of record.
B. joint and several and retroactive, but not strict.
C. voluntary.
D. strict, joint and several, and retroactive.

Answer 26

strict, joint and several, and retroactive

The answer is strict, joint and several, and retroactive. Strict means that the victim’s fault does not reduce the violation; joint and several means that if everyone associated with the problem is judgedresponsible, any one of the parties might have to pay the entire fine and all damages, not just a party’s proportionate share; retroactive means that present violations can be charged as well as violations that occurred before the laws were passed. The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) created an exception for the innocent landowner who is completely innocent of all wrongdoing and thus should not be subject to liability.

Question 26

Radon poses the greatest potential health risk to people when it is

A. contained in insulation material used in residential properties during the 1970s.
B. found in high concentrations in unimproved land.
C. trapped and concentrated in inadequately ventilated areas.
D. emitted by malfunctioning or inadequately ventilated appliances.

Answer 26

trapped and concentrated in inadequately ventilated areas.

The answer is trapped and concentrated in inadequately ventilated areas. When radon gas accumulates in a poorly ventilated area in a structure or in a mine, its harmful effects increase.

Question 27

What do urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI), lead-based paint, and asbestos have in common?

A. They all pose a risk to humans because they may emit harmful gases.
B. They all were banned in 1978.
C. All three were used in insulating materials
D.They were all used at one time in residential construction.

Answer 27

They were al used at one time in residential construction.

The answer is they were all used at one time in residential construction. Only UFFI and asbestos are insulating materials. Only UFFI emits harmful gas. Only lead-based paint was banned in 1978. But all three of these materials were once used in residential construction.

Question 27

A method of sealing off disintegrating asbestos is called

A. capping.
B. encapsulation.
C. containment.
D. contamination closure.

Answer 27

Encapsulation

The answer is encapsulation. Encapsulation, or the sealing off of disintegrating asbestos, is an alternate method of asbestos control that may be preferable to removal in certain circumstances.

Question 27

Lead-based paint

A. is still commonly used in residences
B. can be found in all commercial buildings.
C. requires in a renovation that a residential contractor be trained and certified
D. is not dangerous when ingested.

Answer 27

requires in a renovation that a residential contractor be trined and certified

The answer is requires in a renovation that a residential contractor be trained and certified. The EPA requires that sellers or landlords must disclose known information on lead-based paint and hazards for residential buildings built before 1978. Lead-based paint is harmful when ingested or inhaled

Question 28

The MOST common source of harmful lead in older residential properties is

A. asbestos.
B. basements.
C. appliances.
D. alkyd oil-based paint.

Answer 28

Alkyd oil-based paint

The answer is alkyd oil-based paint. Lead was used as a pigment and drying agent in alkyd oil-based paint that is common on doors, windows, and other woodwork. The federal government estimates that lead is present in about 75% of all private housing built before 1978.

Question 29

Urea-formaldehyde is found in residential properties in

A. lead-based paints.
B. insulating foam.
C. home appliances.
D. USTs.

Answer 29

Insulating foam.

The answer is insulating foam. In the 1970s, many homeowners had urea-formaldehyde foam insulation installed in their homes to conserve energy.

Question 30

In regulations regarding lead-based paints, HUD requires that

A. homeowners test for its presence.
B. paint be removed from surfaces before selling.
C. known lead-based paint hazards be disclosed.
D. only homeowners deal with its removal.

Answer 30

known lead-based paint hazards be disclosed

The answer is known lead-based paint hazards be disclosed. HUD issued the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, which requires disclosure of any known lead-based paint hazards to potential buyers or renters

Question 31

Radon is

A. only found in the eastern United States.
B. easy to detect because of its odor.
C. a known human carcinogen.
D. not found in older homes.

Answer 31

a known human carcinogen

The answer is a known human carcinogen. Radon can cause health problems and has been classified as a Class A known human carcinogen. It can be found anywhere in the United States.

Question 32

Contamination from underground storage tanks is

A. found only in petroleum stations.
B. addressed by EPA regulations.
C. only caused by tanks currently in use.
D. easily detected and eliminated.

Answer 32

addressed by EPA regulations

The answer is addressed by EPA regulations. The federal underground storage tank program is regulated by the EPA. The regulations apply to tanks that contain hazardous substances or liquid petroleum products and that store at least 10% of their volume underground.

Question 33

The presence of underground water contamination is

A.a major problem in the United States
B.separate from private wells and public water systems.
C. covered by very few state and federal laws.
D.the testing responsibility of the real estate professionals.

Answer 33

a major problem in the United States

The answer is a major problem in the United States. According to the EPA, approximately 40% of the 3 million to 5 million underground storage tanks that exist in the United States are leaking.

Question 34

CERCLA regulations for administration of the Superfund, which helps pay for cleanup of uncontrolled hazardous waste sites,

A. exempt from responsibility those sites that contaminate neighboring properties.
B. release from liability those owners of contaminated property who did not actually cause known contamination.
C. make no provision for recovering Superfund expenses incurred in cleanup operations.
D. impose strict, joint and several, and retroactive liability on potentially responsible parties

Answer 34

impose strict, joint and several, and retroactive liability on potentially responsible parties.

The answer is impose strict, join and several, and retroactive liability on potentially responsible parties. Strict liability means that the owner is responsible to the injured party without excuse. Joint and several liability means that each of the individual owners is personally responsible for the total damages. If only one of the owners is financially able to handle the total damages, that owner must pay the total and collect the proportionate shares from the other owners whenever possible. Retroactive liability means that the liability is not limited to the current owner but includes people who have owned the site in the past.

Question 35

Asbestos dust can cause

A. lung disease.
B. radiation sickness.
C. skin cancer.
D. AIDS.

Answer 35

lung disease

The answer is lung disease. Lung disease can be caused by asbestos dust.