Ch 21 - Environmental Issues Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Ch 21 - Environmental Issues Deck (49)
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1
Q

Define asbestos.

A

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

2
Q

Hazardous insulation that can create airborne contaminants that result in respiratory diseases and cancer.

A

Asbestos

3
Q

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

A

Asbestos

4
Q

How to mitigate asbestos?

A

Encapsulation or removal

5
Q

the sealing off of disintegrating asbestos

A

encapsulation

6
Q

In NC, _________ report I now required before a permit will be issued for the reconstruction, renovation, or demolition of any residential or commercial structure.

A

Asbestos

7
Q

Where does one dispose of asbestos waste?

A

at a licensed facility

8
Q

Environmental Protection Act (EPA) estimates home much of the nation’s commercial and public buildings contain asbestos?

A

20 percent

9
Q

A hazardous substance that can lead to serious damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cells.

A

Lead poisoning

10
Q

Federal government estimates that lead is present in about ___ percent of all private housing build before 1978.

A

75 percent

11
Q

When was the residential use of lead-based paint banned?

A

1978

12
Q

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.

A

Residential Lead-Based Hazard Reduction Act

13
Q

NC law, this statute targets the elimination of lead-based paint in houses connected with HUD assisted projects

A

the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Act of 1971

14
Q

Radioactive gas produced as a by-product of the natural decay of other radioactive substances.

A

Radon

15
Q

How to mitigate Radon levels?

A

systems using ventilation systems or exhaust fans.

16
Q

Federal law requires anyone who is paid to perform work that disturbs paint in housing and child-occupied facilities to be trained and certified

A

New EPA rule applied beginning April 2010

17
Q

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?

A

Increase.

18
Q

An insulating foam that can release harmful formaldehyde gases

A

Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI)

19
Q

Hazardous material found in every state.

A

Radon

20
Q

EPA sets safe levels of radon under how many picocuries?

A

4.0 (picocuries)

21
Q

What health risks does exposure to urea-formaldehyde foam insulation pose?

A

Respiratory problems and eye/skin irritations, however, studies are inconclusive

22
Q

A hazardous, colorless, odorless gas that occurs as a by-product of burning such as fuels

A

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

23
Q

How to mitigate CO exposure?

A

ventilation and monitoring

24
Q

What appliances produce CO? Hint: there are five of them.

A

Furnaces, water heaters, space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves

25
Q

A hazardous substance, generated by the movement of electrical currents.

A

Electromagnetic Fields

26
Q

Where can one get EMF tests?

A

power companies

27
Q

What electrical appliances create small field of electromagnetic radiation?

A

clock radios, blow dryers, televisions, and computers all produce EMFs.

28
Q

The water that exists under the earth’s surface within the tiny spaces of crevices in geological formations.

A

Groundwater.

29
Q

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).

A

Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974

30
Q

Runoff from waste disposal sites, leaking underground storage tanks, improperly discarded commercial byproducts, and pesticides and herbicides.

A

Ways water can become contaminated.

31
Q

There are millions of these abandoned in the US.

A

Underground storage tanks (USTs)

32
Q

What causes contamination to adjacent soil and groundwater?

A

Leaks in the USTs

33
Q

How to mitigate USTs?

A

Detention, removal, or cleanup, but can be very expensive process

34
Q

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of CERCLA does what?

A

Regulates the federal UST program

35
Q

UST Program application?

A

Only underground tanks and piping storing either petroleum or certain hazardous substances.

36
Q

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.

A

Applies to commercial UST owners.

37
Q

created in 1980; established a fund of $9 billion, called superfund, to clean up uncontrolled hazardous waste sites and to respond to spills.

A

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) (pronounced sers-lah)

38
Q

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).

A

Landowner

39
Q

Where does a landowner who is not responsible for the contamination seek reimbursement for the cleanup?

A

Previous landowners, any other responsible party, or the Superfund.

40
Q

Superfund Amendment?

A

In 1986, reauthorized the Superfund statutes to contain stronger cleanup standards and five times the funding.

41
Q

Superfund amendment, recognized that certain cases, a landowner in the chain of ownership was innocent of wrongdoing and should not be held liable.

A

Innocent Landowner Immunity

42
Q

Most common waste disposal method.

A

Landfills

43
Q

How to mitigate aesthetic value of landfills and prevent erosion?

A

Capping with ventilation pipes

44
Q

In NC, mere presence of mold in a residence is not a material fact unless it is in excessive amounts in usual locations.

A

True.

45
Q

NC Dredge and Fill Act

A

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.

46
Q

NC Sediment Pollution Control Act

A

An Act that handle problems that occur as a result of sedimentation in state waters.

47
Q

Licensees NOT expected to discover hazard, but MUST disclose any known contaminant

A

Liability of Real Estate Professional

48
Q

Who carries most liability regarding contaminants are particular parcel or real estate?

A

Seller

49
Q

Others affected by environmental problems?

A

appraisers (i.e. exposure, adj market value) and insurers.