REAL ESTATE - Environmental Hazards
Which of these would be done in a meth lab cleanup? CORRECT Increase the heat for several days. WRONG Discard all fiberglass insulation Replace the main sewer connection line. Replace and rewire all electrical outlets
After the initial airing-out, the windows and doors should be closed and the temperature inside the structure should be raised to approximately 90 degrees for a few days. This will promote the volatilization or dissolving into the air of some of the chemicals.
Nitrates in water often come from which source? CORRECT: Agriculture WRONG: Algae bloom Radon decay Mining activity
Agricultural activities which use fertilizers or generate manure contain high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous. These substances often leach into the water supply through water runoff. Stomach and liver cancer along with reproductive problems are often linked to nitrate contamination.
Decommissioning an oil tank in place with sand means the CORRECT: top is removed and the tank is filled with sand. WRONG tank is split open and the interior is sand-blasted. soil around the tank is replaced with sand to encase the tank. tank is removed and the remaining hole is filled with sand.
Also known as DIP or Decommission In Place. Tanks located under concrete, asphalt or more than 24" of soil may make this method impractical. This option requires the complete pumping out of any remaining fuel in the tank. The ground is removed to the top of the tank and the top of the tank is cut off. The inside of the tank is then cleaned and visually inspected for leakage. If there is no leakage, the tank will be filled with sand or p-gravel, the top then replaced and the hole will be back filled to grade. The vent pipe and fill pipe will be removed.
Which statement is true? Asbestos-containing materials found on the outside of the house (such as siding and roofing) do not present a real health hazard.
Asbestos-containing materials found on the outside of the house do not present a real health hazard. WRONG Licensees should recommend that all asbestos-containing materials be removed before purchasing or selling a house. Licensees should only let a home inspector identify potential asbestos-containing materials in order to avoid the unauthorized practice of law. Asbestos-containing materials that become friable should not be considered a serious potential health hazard
Regarding environmental issues, who has likely benefited the most from changes in agency law in recent years?
Buyers In the past, because buyers were unrepresented, it was truly a "buyer beware" marketplace. If a buyer had environmental concerns, the real estate industry did not address them. If the buyer wanted to inspect the property, the buyer was responsible if they failed to discover a material defect. The "buyer beware" doctrine shielded sellers and licensees from liability for any defective property condition.
The difference between fraud and negligence is a person's Lawsuits brought against real estate licensees under a negligence theory are based upon the concept that a licensee can be held liable for not exercising ordinary care and skill in the conduct of their real estate practice, which leads to their client being damaged economically. Everyone is responsible for the results of their own willful acts but also for injury caused to another by lack of ordinary care or skill in the management of property or person
CORRECT intention. casualty. damage. nondisclosure.
Prolonged ingestion of contaminants, such as pesticide or arsenic, would produce health symptoms that would be considered _____. CORRECT: chronic WRONG Lymphatic Macrobiotic Acute
Chronic health problems are related to health conditions that arise after people consume a contaminant at levels over the EPA's safety standards for a number of years. The types of contaminants in this category are chemicals such as disinfecting by-products, solvents, and pesticides. This group also contains radium, minerals such as arsenic, and metals such as lead. Examples of chronic effects of drinking water contaminants are liver or kidney problems, cancer, or reproductive difficulties.
Which of the following IS an EPA-monitored water contaminant? CORRECT: Cryptosporidium WRONG: Phytoplankton S. tuberosum Acetobacter
Common examples of protozoa contaminants are giardia and cryptosporidium, which is a parasite that can cause diarrhea in humans and animals.
Which word best describes exposure to asbestos? The body has no mechanism to flush out or remove asbestos fibers and they become trapped. Each exposure accumulates greater amounts of fibers that become permanently lodged which increases the risk of serious disease.
Cumulative WRONG Exponential Hyperbolic Conspicuous
Most reactions to asbestos exposure are: A human inhaling these small fibers usually will not experience any immediate symptoms, such as sneezing or itching. These fibers, which lodge deep in the lungs, can remain there for years before any symptoms of disease begin to appear. Many of the World War II shipyard workers exposed to asbestos did not manifest any disease symptoms for decades after initial exposure.
Delayed WRONG Immediate Causative Short-term
It is advisable to test private wells for which kind of VOC? Pesticides WRONG Leached bedrock salts Formaldehyde Hydrogenated compounds
Federal laws require constant monitoring of municipal water supplies for numerous chemicals and VOCs. However, private wells may be a source of pesticide contamination.
Acute health symptoms would most likely result from which contaminant? CORRECT: Giardia WRONG Pesticides Lead Nitrates
High levels of bacteria and viruses like giardia and cryptosporidium may cause acute, temporary health problems. Lead, nitrates, and pesticides could cause long-term health problems.
Why is it important for a buyer to get well water tested prior to purchase? CORRECT: Mitigation can be very expensive. WRONG None of these are true. Testing is required by federal law Testing is only required of a seller.
If contaminants are found to exist in the tested water supply, then the real estate agent will necessarily be involved with the buyer in dealing with issues relating to mitigation of the contaminants identified. This may include locating the source of the contamination, water treatment options, and possibly obtaining alternative potable water supplies. Since the issues dealing with water are often costly, the real estate agent may be involved in additional negotiations with the seller with respect to price adjustments and other options necessary to solve the water contamination problem.
If an oil leak is discovered by soil testing, what should be the first priority? CORRECT: Pump out the oil WRONG Perform a NWTPH-Dx test to obtain more accurate results Apply an oil condenser or hardener to the contents Locate oil lines that may be leaking
If leaking oil is discovered, the first priority is to stop further leaking. This is done by removing oil in the leaking tank, usually by having the oil pumped out. If the tank is currently being used to supply furnace oil, the oil distributor or company performing the remediation may supply a temporary above ground tank while the work is being performed.
If contaminated with mold or fungi, which of these air duct types should be discarded? CORRECT: Sheet metal with interior fiberglass insulation. NOT DISCARDED Sheet metal with exterior fiberglass insulation. Ductless systems ("mini splits") Sheet metal-only ducts.
If the air duct system is constructed of either sheet metal only or sheet metal with exterior fibrous glass, the duct system can be cleaned and disinfected. However, if the duct system is made of sheet metal with an interior fibrous insulation lining and the ducts have experienced water damage, the entire duct system should be removed and discarded since any cleaning and disinfecting process will be totally ineffective.
Which of the following is NOT a symptom that you would likely experience if entering a meth lab? CORRECT: Numbness in extremities WRONG Throat irritation Eye irritation Respiratory discomfort
Most people entering a meth lab will experience immediate eye irritation, throat irritation, and in many cases, respiratory discomfort. A common reaction is a tightening of the throat and an experience of lightheadedness or headache.
When a soil test is conducted, at what minimum point is remediation (soil cleanup) required? CORRECT: 500 PPM WRONG 100 PPM 250 PPM 50 PPM
ND or non-detect. No contamination was detected in the sample. 1 - 50 PPM. There is a small amount of contamination the soil. It should be noted that these levels imply the start of a leak. 50 - 500 PPM. Sample readings in this range are above reporting levels, but below clean-up levels. Over 500 PPM. Remediation is required.
Which part of a home built before 1978 would be the least likely to contain lead? Paint, outdoor dirt (due to leaded gasoline deposits), and potable water (due to lead-based solder), are more likely to contain lead than wallboard.
Sheetrock (wallboard) Potable water supply Outside dirt Paint
Which of the following statements about VOCs is false? FALSE: They are all carcinogenic. TRUE: They are all made of organic compounds. They all evaporate at room temperature. They can exist as a solid, gas, or liquid
Some VOCs are carcinogenic or are thought to cause cancer, but not all compounds are well studied and their health effects are not well known.
What distinguishes an active radon testing device from a passive device? PAGE 42 Active devices require power to operate.
The active device requires power to operate. The active device requires a chemical to be changed regularly. The active device must be turned daily. The active device contains activated carbon
Which statement is NOT TRUE? Ill health effects from fungi usually depend on the dose and duration of exposure to the mold source. The methods of exposure are inhalation, exposure to skin, and ingestion.
The ill health effects from fungi are usually the same regardless of dose or duration of exposure. TRUE: Moisture is required for mold to grow. Small children are more at risk from mold exposure than adults. Some molds can cause skin irritations.
Which room is the best for conducting a short-term radon test? The lowest inhabitable room in the house is the best place to conduct a short-term radon test.
The lowest inhabitable room in the house. Any inhabitable room with minimal ventilation. The highest inhabitable room in the house. Any inhabitable room with adequate ventilation.
What word best describes where a meth lab might be found? CORRECT: Anywhere WRONG Inner-city Residential Rural
The production of methamphetamine can now be found in virtually all areas of the country. Labs are found in rural, city, and suburban residences, barns, garages, outbuildings, back rooms of businesses, apartments, hotel and motel rooms, storage facilities, vacant buildings, and even in motor homes.
What should clients be advised about drug houses? CORRECT Drug houses are dangerous to clean up and a professional should be strongly considered to do the work. WRONG Drug houses are expensive to clean up and the client should strongly consider doing it themselves to save costs. Drug houses are difficult to buy and sell and buyers should be told not to buy them. Drug houses involve a lot of government "red tape" to rehabilitate and clients should strongly consider doing it themselves instead.
The safest way to clean up a former meth lab is to hire an environmental company trained in hazardous substance removal and clean up. If the owner of the property desires to do the clean up, extreme caution should be exercised as the contaminants give off fumes, penetrate the skin, and result in severe health problems.
Which statement is true? TRUE: Mold is a material defect that must be disclosed. NOT TRUE: Mold does not need to be disclosed if it can be spot-cleaned. If a mold problem is discovered, licensees should recommend an immediate course of action. Previously cleaned up mold problems older than one year do not need to be disclosed.
The seller and licensee must disclose to the potential buyer any knowledge regarding current or past mold and fungi problems. The Seller must make the disclosures in the Seller Disclosure Statement. If the Seller fails to make such disclosures and the agent has knowledge because of his visual inspection of the property, the agent must disclose to the buyer the results of the inspection.
Which is NOT a usual method for human exposure to mold? The methods of exposure are inhalation, exposure to skin, and ingestion.
Water absorption METHOD MOLD EXPOSURE Skin contact Inhalation Ingestion
Which is NOT a valued characteristic of asbestos? Asbestos was highly valued in a wide range of products because of its strength, it will not burn, resists corrosion, is a good insulator, and is chemically resistant.
Water-soluble WRONG Resists corrosion Strength Chemical resistance
Which is NOT a common health problem in adults associated with lead exposure? Health problems in adults due to excessive lead exposure include vomiting, fatigue and drowsiness, and memory issues.
Weight gain PAGE 21 Vomiting Fatigue and drowsiness Memory and concentration problems
When is lead-based paint most threatening? If the lead based paint is in good condition and not on a surface where it is likely to be disturbed (such on drawer glides), it usually is not a problem unless there is concern that a child may chew on surfaces containing the lead-based paint. However, if the paint is peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking, it should be viewed as a potential health hazard and should receive immediate attention.
When it is chipped, peeling, or otherwise falling apart. When in homes built or painted after 1968. When it is blue or green in color (because of higher lead concentrations). When it is inside the house.
A person who is sensitive to formaldehyde would likely prefer which type of structure to help with their sensitivities? An older house WRONG New construction A recently remodeled house A single level house
When products are new, emissions of formaldehyde are at the highest levels. As products age, emissions of formaldehyde decrease. Because of this, newer homes will usually have more of a formaldehyde issue than older homes.
The Easton v Strassburger case was based on a legal theory of
negligence The court concluded that a reasonably competent and diligent inspection of the property would have uncovered these problems and that the agents involved were negligent by not doing so.
Which room is suitable for a radon test? PAGE 39 Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens should not be tested because of excess moisture.
Bedroom Kitchen Laundry room Bathroom
If a seller knew of a problem with a property but failed to disclose it, what would this be legally considered?
Fraud Lawsuits against sellers and real estate agents because of fraud are based either upon the premise that liability should result from an affirmative or intentional misrepresentation or from an omission or nondisclosure of a fact. Other option wrong Intentional Malfeasance Liability Negligence
Which of the following statements is true regarding lead-based paint disclosures? Federal law applies to all 50 states. All sellers and licensees should be aware of the provisions of HUD and EPA regulations as they apply to lead-based paint.
Lead-based paint disclosure laws apply to all 50 states. WRONG The burden of compliance with the lead disclosure law is on the buyer's agent. Buyers must be provided with a 60-day period to test for lead, if the buyer chooses. Duplexes built before 1952 are exempt from lead disclosure laws
When trying to identify if a buried oil tank is on a property, which of these would you look for? CORRECT: Oil tank fill cap WRONG Oil tank indicator plaque on foundation Oil tank flag "Manhole" style cover
Look for an oil tank fill cap. The fill cap is usually located on the ground, in the patio, or in a driveway. The cap may look like an in-ground sprinkler head or a metal plate marked "oil." The actual fill pipe is two inches in diameter.
Which creates the greatest radon threat? When no ventilation is present to stir and move the air within a structure, radon will settle out of the air to the lowest levels of the structure.
Poor ventilation Poor filtration Poor insulation Poor reticulation
Which type of test is NOT appropriate for finding specific levels of lead in a material? Although a surface test is quick and inexpensive, it will not measure the amount of lead present. This test is also prone to giving many false negative and false positive results.
A surface test Chip analysis test XRF scan An "atomic absorption" chemical lab test
Which of the following is NOT a reason to consider environmental concerns in a real estate transaction? Real estate licensees need to be aware of potential environmental hazards and issues for several important reasons: 1) Environmental issues have become a major concern to the public. 2) The role of the real estate agent has changed. 3) Disclosure laws are changing to require disclosure of all material facts relating to real property.
CORRECT - The number of natural disasters has decreased dramatically in recent years. - Sellers and licensees can no longer hide behind "buyer beware" practices. - The general public is more aware of environmental and health issues than in the past. - Disclosure laws are getting increasingly strict.
Which of these is the main way that asbestos enters the body? The majority of asbestos fibers enter the body through inhalation. The fibers less frequently enter the body through ingestion. The fibers cannot be absorbed into the body through the skin.
Inhalation WRONG Skin contact Osmosis Transmission at birth
Which of these methods is a way to reduce indoor VOC levels? CORRECT: Remove the source of the VOCs. WRONG Use a humidifier to increase the humidity. Turn off the heat for up to 48 hours. Seal off affected areas with plastic sheeting and duct tape.
Removal of the source is the most effective remedy. This method, however, may be totally unacceptable due to cost factors.
Which of these is NOT a mold remediation technique? Hard materials that are not absorbent, such as glass, plastic, or metal, must be properly disinfected. These materials do not have to be disposed of.
Replace any window glass affected by flooding or excess moisture MOLD REMEDIATION TECHNIQUES: Throw away stained porous materials Identify and correct the source of the moisture Replace sheetrock touched by flooding or moisture
Which of the following is NOT an EPA-monitored water contaminant? CORRECT: Iridium WRONGS: Benzene Copper Giardia
The EPA requires monitoring for protozoa and virus (giardia), lead and copper, VOCs (benzene), and many other contaminants.
What is a good way to find out what contaminates are or have been in a public water supply? CORRECT: Annual reports from utilities WRONG Polymer micro-screen Micro-filtration testing Dissolved solids extraction test
The Safe Drinking Water Act Amendment of 1996 (SDWA) requires that all public water systems must prepare and distribute annual reports to its customers. These reports inform the customer as to the source of system's drinking water, results of monitoring the water supply system during the prior year, and information on health concerns associated with violations that occurred during the year.
Which of these products is LEAST likely to contain VOCs? CORRECT, LEAST: Hardwood WRONG, NOT LEAST Adhesives Drapery materials Wood finish
VOCs are found in carpet, glues and adhesives, pressed-wood products, laminate flooring, cabinet fiberboard, drapery materials, and paint/coating products (such as wood finishes).
Which of these is NOT a method to decommission an underground oil tank? CORRECT Inversion and rebury WRONG Fill it with sand or pea gravel Fill it with slurry Removal of the tank (and possibly surrounding soil)
Ways to decommission an underground storage tank include decommissioning in place by filling it with slurry or sand/pea-gravel, or completely removing the tank.
Radon reduction in structures with basements and slab-type foundations is usually achieved by: PAGE 42 Radon reduction in houses with basements or slab foundations is usually achieved through soil suction techniques.
soil suction. positive pressure. radon active absorption. mixing chamber reduction.
Which of the following is NOT an EPA-recognized water contaminant? CORRECT: Invariants WRONG Radon VOCs Nitrates
the EPA has identified approximately 80 contaminants that must be monitored in the nations domestic water supply systems. These contaminants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrates, radon, bacteria, virus, lead, and pesticides.
