Appraisal Subject Matter Electives

Areas that are inundated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal conditions do support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions is which of the following:

wetlands

If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from:

Damage to the brain and nervous system Behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity) Slowed growth Hearing problems Headaches

Homes with radon problems can't be fixed. T or F

False There are simple solutions to radon problems in homes. Hundreds of thousands of homeowners have already fixed radon problems in their homes. Radon levels can be readily lowered for $800 to $2,500 (with an average cost of $1,200)."

Wetlands have been shown to offer these benefits:

Flood buffers Water reclamation Wildlife habitat Fisheries Erosion resistance Recreational benefits Development buffers

Molds can consume all of the following EXCEPT carpet Formica sheetrock wood

Formica, Molds can consume anything organic

Other possible locations of hidden moisture, resulting in hidden mold growth are:

Poorly draining condensate drain pans inside air handling units. Porous thermal or acoustic liners inside duct work. Roof materials above ceiling tiles. The back side of drywall (also known as gypsum board, wallboard, or SHEETROCK®), paneling, and wallpaper. The underside of carpets and pads."

Pesticides

Products used to kill household pests (insecticides, termiticides, and disinfectants). Also, products used on lawns and gardens that drift or are tracked inside the house.

People can get lead in their body if they:

Put their hands or other objects covered with lead dust in their mouths. Eat paint chips or soil that contains lead. Breathe in lead dust (especially during renovations that disturb painted surfaces

We indirectly focused on indoor air quality when we discussed specific hazards that may pollute indoor air:

Radon Mold Lead Asbestos

Radon

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that occurs in nature. It is radioactive and extremely toxic. It comes from the decay of uranium and radium, which occur naturally in different types of rocks and soils.

In 1986, Congress passed the ____________ which amended Subtitle I to provide federal funds for corrective actions on petroleum releases from UST systems.

SARA

There Are Two General Ways To Test Your Home for Radon:

Short term and long term

Home test kits for lead based paint:

Should not be relied upon by consumers before doing renovations

The most common methods for testing USTs are:

Soil borings - holes are drilled and soil samples are shipped to an EPA approved lab Tank integrity tests - not recommended for residential tanks Soil vapor test - a probe is inserted and an air sample is analyzed for petroleum content

Where Asbestos Hazards May Be Found In The Home

Some roofing and siding shingles are made of asbestos cement. Houses built between 1930 and 1950 may have asbestos as insulation. Asbestos may be present in textured paint and in patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints. Their use was banned in 1977. Artificial ashes and embers sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces may contain asbestos. Older products such as stove-top pads may have some asbestos compounds. Walls and floors around woodburning stoves may be protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets. Asbestos is found in some vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives. Hot water and steam pipes in older houses may be coated with an asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape. Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets may have asbestos insulation."

USTs made before the mid-1980s were usually comprised of what material?

Steel

The problem identified with some types of Chinese drywall is that it emits:

Sulfur gases

Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (LBPHRA)

The Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act was passed by Congress in 1992. A good summary of this law is provided by HUD in its publication, "Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Rule".

How do wetlands improve water quality?

They may remove or reduce nitrogen, phosphates, suspended solids, metals and pathogens.

Lead-based paint that is in good condition is usually not a hazard. T or F?

True

Which of these is NOT on the EPA's list of methods you should not use to remove lead- based paint? a wet sander a propane torch a dry scraper a belt sander

a wet sander

Most molds are toxic are found in the southwestern United States are not toxic cause neurological disorders

are not toxic

When permanently closing a UST, how long before closing must you notify the regulatory authority?

30 days

Two ways to get your home checked for led based paint

A paint inspection tells you the lead content of every different type of painted surface in your home. It won't tell you whether the paint is a hazard or how you should deal with it. A risk assessment tells you if there are any sources of serious lead exposure (such as peeling paint and lead dust). It also tells you what actions to take to address these hazards.

picocurie

A unit of measure for radioactivity.

Which statement is FALSE concerning wetlands? Some areas have been declared as wetlands that are dry for all but seven days a year. They can be found in high mountain plateaus. A wetland must be wet year-round. The United States loses about 60,000 acres of wetlands each year.

A wetland must be wet year-round.

The EPA says it is important to dry water damaged areas and items within _________ hours to prevent mold growth

24-48

What is lead?

"A chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Pb (Latin: plumbum) and atomic number 82. A soft, heavy, toxic and malleable poor metal, lead is bluish white when freshly cut but tarnishes to dull gray when exposed to air."

Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)

"An underground storage tank (UST) system is a tank (or a combination of tanks) and connected piping having at least 10 percent of their combined volume underground. The tank system includes the tank, underground connected piping, underground ancillary equipment, and any containment system."

EPA on where lead is commonly found around a house:

"In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint.

Wetlands

"Those areas that are inundated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal conditions do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions."

ALL Superfund Hazardous Substances have one or more of the following characteristics:

- Ignitability- Corrosivity- Reactivity- Toxicity- Or are included on an extensive list of wastes from the previously mentioned statutes.

if any of these three ingredients is removed, the mold colony can simply become dormant -- and remain dormant for up to ____ years

10

Nearly one out of every ___ homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level.

15

he EPA thinks that what percent of underground storage tanks are leaking?

25%

Which of the following places within the home is mold likely present? In the bathroom around the shower or tub Under pipes or window sills where there could be condensation Ceiling Tiles All of the above

All

Which of the following type of tank would NOT have to meet federal UST regulations? farm tanks holding less than 1,100 gallons of motor fuel tanks on or above the floor of underground areas flow-through process tanks all of these

All of thesse

Before any wetlands are filled or drained, a Nationwide Permit must be obtained from the

Army Corps of Engineers

The lead agencies for determining wetlands on non-agricultural property are Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA Army Corps of Engineers and HUD Natural Resources Conservation Service and HUD Natural Resources Conservation Service and the National Parks Service

Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA

The lead agencies for determining wetlands on non-agricultural property are the

Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA

In this country, lead has been used in many applications over centuries:

As a pigment in paint In plumbing water mains and service pipes As a component of many toys (remember lead soldiers?) Weights in window sashes As an additive in gasoline to reduce knocking in the engine (leaded fuel)

Asbestos

Asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring, fibrous silicate minerals mined for their useful properties such as thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength. Asbestos is commonly used as an acoustic insulator, thermal insulation, fire proofing and in other building materials. Many products are in use today that contain asbestos.

Lead is even more dangerous to children than adults because:

Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths. These objects can have lead dust on them. Children's growing bodies absorb more lead. Children's brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.

Lead is still found in:

Car batteries Ceramic pottery (as a coloring glaze) Bullets Fishing sinkers Weights in scuba diving belts Ballast in keels of sailboats Shield for X-rays (that heavy vest the dentist puts over your chest) Lead glass Lead solder for electronics

Which of these is NOT a known carcinogen that can cause cancer? Cigarette smoke Carbon monoxide asbestos radon

Carbon monoxide

_____________ has been called the silent killer.

Carbon monoxide

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide has been called the "silent killer." Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell, it can kill you before you are aware it is in your home.

Chinese drywall

Chinese drywall refers to drywall imported from China from 2001 to 2007 which contains extraneous metals and minerals, such as sulfur, strontium, and iron. Under certain environmental conditions (typically warm, humid climates), the drywall will emit sulfur gasses. The gasses create a noxious odor and corrode copper and other metal surfaces, which can damage your air conditioner, electrical wiring, copper plumbing, appliances and electronics. Chinese drywall can also cause adverse health effects, which are primarily irritant and temporary in nature. Not all drywall manufactured in China is defective.

How can radon enter a house?

Cracks in foundations Cracks in basement floors Cracks between poured slabs and block walls and footings Mortar joints and cracks Exposed soil - such as a dirt floor in a crawl space or basement Loose fitting pipes The hole around a sump pump

The EPA's authority includes:

Developing and interpreting policy, guidance, and environmental criteria used in evaluating permit applications Determining scope of geographic jurisdictions Reviewing and commenting on individual permit applications Enforcement of Section 404 provisions

Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer from:

Difficulties during pregnancy Other reproductive problems (in both men and women) High blood pressure Digestive problems Nerve disorders Memory and concentration problems Muscle and joint pain"

Asbestos Do's and Don'ts for the Homeowner

Do keep activities to a minimum in any areas having damaged material that may contain asbestos. Do take every precaution to avoid damaging asbestos material. Do have removal and major repair done by people trained and qualified in handling asbestos. It is highly recommended that sampling and minor repair also be done by asbestos professionals. Don't dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos. Don't saw, sand, scrape, or drill holes in asbestos materials. Don't use abrasive pads or brushes on power strippers to strip wax from asbestos flooring. Never use a power stripper on a dry floor. Don't sand or try to level asbestos flooring or its backing. When asbestos flooring needs replacing, install new floor covering over it, if possible. Don't track material that could contain asbestos through the house. If you cannot avoid walking through the area, have it cleaned with a wet mop. If the material is from a damaged area, or if a large area must be cleaned, call an asbestos professional.

Steps to Reduce Exposure from tobacco smoke

Do not smoke in your home or permit others to do so. Do not smoke if children are present, particularly infants and toddlers. If smoking indoors cannot be avoided, increase ventilation in the area where smoking takes place. Open windows or use exhaust fans."

The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. Some states stopped its use even earlier. Lead can be found:

In soil around a home. In homes in the city, country, or suburbs. In apartments, single-family homes, and both private and public housing. Inside and outside of the house. Drinking water. Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call your local health department or water supplier to find out about testing your water. Household dust The job. If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes. Shower and change clothes before coming home. Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your family's clothes. Old painted toys and furniture. Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain. Lead smelters or other industries that release lead into the air. Hobbies that use lead, such as making pottery or stained glass, or refinishing furniture.

Federal regulations adopted in 1996 (Section 1018 of Title X) require real estate agents to ensure that sellers and lessors of property constructed before 1978 do the following:

Inform sellers and lessors of what they must do to comply Ensure compliance, if the seller does not comply, by providing any information the seller has disclosed to the prospective purchaser Provide purchasers and lessees with a federally approved lead hazard information handbook (available from EPA) Retain signed copies of the sample disclosure form for three years

Which of these is not true of radon? it is radioactive It is very site specific It is particularly present in granite rocks It has a half-life of two years

It has a half-life of two years

Which of the following is something a homeowner should do with asbestos?

Keep activities to a minimum in areas with damaged asbestos

"Steps to Reduce Carbon Monoxide Exposure:

Keep gas appliances properly adjusted. Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one. Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters. Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves. Open flues when fireplaces are in use. Choose properly sized woodstoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors on all woodstoves fit tightly. Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly. Do not idle the car inside garage."

"Common moisture problems include:

Leaking roofs. Leaking or condensing water pipes, especially pipes inside wall cavities or pipe chases. Leaking fire-protection sprinkler systems. Landscaping, gutters, and down spouts that direct water into or under a building. High humidity (> 60% relative humidity). Unvented combustion appliances such as clothes dryers vented into a garage. (Clothes dryers and other combustion appliances should be vented to the outside.)

When appraising a property that is subject to environmental contamination, Fannie Mae requires an appraiser to note the hazardous condition in the appraisal report, comment on any influence the hazard has on value and marketability, and:

Make appropriate adjustments in analyzing the property's value

To survive, molds need:

Moisture Food source - organic material Favorable temperature - 40º to 100º F

The list of the worst hazardous waste sites that have been identified by Superfund is called the ___________List.

National Priorities

The Army Corps of Engineers responsibilities

Navigation Flood control Environmental protection Disaster response Ecosystem restoration Wetlands and waterways regulation and permitting

Are Aboveground Storage Tanks (ASTs) A Way To Avoid Regulation?

No. But, some underground storage tank (UST) owners or operators mistakenly think they can avoid environmental and safety requirements by changing to aboveground storage tanks (ASTs). However, ASTs are subject to both Federal regulations and State/local regulations. Before choosing an AST option, UST owners and operators should keep the following in mind:

Difference between Passive and active testing

Passive devices do not require power to operate and active devices do.

Fannie Mae says that if an environmental hazard exists in the subject property and the actual effect is not measurable because the hazard is so serious or so recently discovered that there is no comparable market data, then:

The mortgage is not eligible for delivery to Fannie Mae

"Short-Term Testing

The quickest way to test is with short-term tests. Short-term tests remain in your home from two days to 90 days, depending on the device. Whether you test for radon yourself or hire a state-certified tester or a privately certified tester, all radon tests should be taken for a minimum of 48 hours. A longer period of testing is required for some devices.

Where did the wetlands go?

Urban development 30% Rural development 21% Agriculture 28% Silviculture (tree farming) 23%

Steps to Reduce Organic gases Exposure:

Use household products according to manufacturer's directions. Make sure you provide plenty of fresh air when using these products. Throw away unused or little-used containers safely; buy in quantities that you will use soon. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Never mix household care products unless directed on the label."

Steps to Reduce Exposure:

Use strictly according to manufacturer's directions. Mix or dilute outdoors. Apply only in recommended quantities. Increase ventilation when using indoors. Take plants or pets outdoors when applying pesticides to them. Use non-chemical methods of pest control where possible. If you use a pest control company, select it carefully. Do not store unneeded pesticides inside home; dispose of unwanted containers safely. Store clothes with moth repellents in separately ventilated areas, if possible. Keep indoor spaces clean, dry, and well ventilated to avoid pest and odor problems."

Reduce indoor humidity to 30% to 60% to decrease mold growth by:

Venting bathrooms and dryers outside Using air conditioners and dehumidifiers Increasing ventilation Using exhaust fans when cooking, dishwashing and cleaning Put a moisture barrier over dirt in crawl spaces Pay special attention to carpet on concrete floors Get your air ducts cleaned Be aware of musty odors

Trained professionals use a range of methods when checking your home for lead, including:

Visual inspection of paint condition and location. A portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine. Lab tests of paint samples. Surface dust tests.

Lead-based paint may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew or that get a lot of wear-and-tear. These areas include:

Windows and window sills. Doors and door frames. Stairs, railings, and banisters. Porches and fences.

The most accurate and nondestructive method of testing paint to see if it is lead-based is:

X-ray fluorescence

Brownfields

a site that has suffered previous contamination. Here are a few pertinent definitions.

Tiles infected with common mold should be disposed of by taking it to a landfill by getting a permit by using a licensed hazardous waste handler by encapsulating it in plastic and burning it

by taking it to a landfill

Lead is still used in

car batteries

Who is most at risk from lead?

children 6 and under

To prevent mold growth, the EPA says you should not put carpet over _________ floors.

concrete

Where does radon come from?

decay of uranium and radium in rocks and soil

friable

easily crumbled

Which of these actions can be done with asbestos, according to the EPA? dry sanding encapsulation sawing drilling

encapsulation

All of these are benefits of wetlands, EXCEPT flood buffer increased agricultural production wildlife habitat erosion resistance

increased agricultural production

Asbestos is only dangerous when it is new wet inhaled heated

inhaled

All of these measures should help protect against mold in a house, except for prevent condensation on cold surfaces install smoke detectors reduce indoor humidity to between 30% and 60% get your air ducts cleaned

install smoke detectors

Which is NOT a characteristic of radon? it is colorless it is odorless it is a mineral it can be found in water

it is a mineral

Which is NOT true of lead? it is radioactive it is toxic it has been used for over 7,000 years it can accumulate in human bones and soft tissues

it is radioactive

"Long-Term Testing

long-term tests remain in your home for more than 90 days. Alpha track, and electret ion chamber detectors are commonly used for this type of testing

"When the appraiser has knowledge of any hazardous condition, whether it exists in or on the subject property or on any site within the vicinity of the property, including but not limited to, the presence of hazardous wastes, toxic substances, asbestos-containing materials, urea-formaldehyde insulation, or radon gas, the appraiser must

note the hazardous condition in the appraisal report; comment on any influence the hazard has on the property's value and marketability, if it is measurable through an analysis of comparable market data as of the effective date of the appraisal, or indicate that the comparable market data reveals no buyer resistance to the hazard; and make appropriate adjustments in the overall analysis of the property's value

There are two basic kinds of testing devices:

passive and active

Asbestos can be found in all of the following products EXCEPT insulation for pipes resilient floor tile roof shingles pressure treated wood

pressure treated wood

Which of these hazards would NOT typically be found in building products in a home? radon asbestos lead formaldehyde

radon

EPA defines brownfields this way:

real property, the expansion, redevelopment or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence, of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant." The EPA estimates there are about 500,000 brownfield

To survive, molds need all of the following EXCEPT relative humidity of at least 95% an organic food source temperatures between 40 and 100 degrees moisture

relative humidity of at least 95%

Usually the most effective way to improve indoor air quality is

remove the sources of pollution

The leading cause of lung cancer is

smoking

Modern tanks may be made of coated or cathodically protected

steel or fiberglass

Prior to the mid-1980s, most underground storage tanks (USTs) were made of steel fiberglass concrete titanium alloy

steel, which can rust

Which is NOT true of molds? they are microscopic animals there are over 95,000 species they need moisture to survive they live indoors and outdoors

they are microscopic animals, Molds are fungi.

Formaldehyde

was used for a while in the 1970s as a sprayed-on insulation in houses. Its use was discontinued after a few years, as some high concentrations of formaldehyde were found. The good news is that formaldehyde escapes fairly rapidly into the atmosphere. Most homes with UFFI insulation were okay after a few years.