Real Estate Fundamentals - Chapter 3: Environmental Concerns And Hazards

The statement is true because in 1978, lead-based paint was indeed banned from use in painting homes. The Residential Lead-Based Hazard Reduction Act, passed in 1996, requires that the Agreement of Sale includes a provision to disclose any known information about existing lead paint to the purchaser. Additionally, the law also mandates that the seller must provide the purchaser with a lead hazard brochure. Therefore, the statement is correct.

The explanation for the given answer, True, is that carbon monoxide gas is highly toxic and can quickly deplete the oxygen supply in a confined space, leading to death within as little as 30 minutes. Therefore, it is essential for property owners to take preventive measures by installing carbon monoxide detectors in their homes to ensure early detection and protection against this deadly gas.

The explanation for the given correct answer is that the Pennsylvania law, called the Real Estate Seller's Disclosure Act (1996), requires sellers to disclose any material defects in residential real property to the buyer. This includes environmental concerns and hazards. Therefore, it is true that sellers in Pennsylvania must disclose these issues to potential buyers.

Real estate agents should not give opinions on environmental issues. Recommend the use of a professional expert.

Real estate agents should be aware that many buyers have concerns about living near high-tension electrical wires and electro-magnetic fields, even though recent studies have shown inconsistent and inconclusive results regarding the potential health risks. Therefore, it is important for agents to disclose this information to prospective buyers, as it may influence their decision to purchase a home in such areas.

The given statement suggests that there is a high possibility of underground storage tanks leaking hazardous substances. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that out of the five million underground storage tanks in the country, around two million of them are leaking some form of hazardous substance. This indicates a significant concern for the environment and public safety.

Property owners ARE legally liable for soil and water contamination of any property affection by leaking underground storage tanks.

Actually, about 50% of all properties in the US depend upon ground water for drinking purposes.

The Superfund Law of 1980, also known as CERCLA, is indeed the most significant law that affects the disposal of hazardous wastes. This law was enacted in response to the dumping of toxic and hazardous wastes into Love Canal in Niagra Falls, NY. The law was created to address the environmental and health risks associated with hazardous waste disposal and to establish a fund for the cleanup of contaminated sites. Therefore, the statement "True" is correct.

Radon can enter one's house or building through such openings as the dirt trench surrounding a floating slab basement, through cinder block walls, through a sump pit in the basement, shower heads, and other sources.

There is serious speculation of formaldehyde being a possible CAUSE of cancer and research confirmed that urea formaldehyde foam insulation produced cancer in animals. However, court decisions reversed the action of the Consumer Product Safety Commission claiming there was "no direct evidence" linking the use of this insulation to cancer in humans.

The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 was passed to exercise greater control of Public Water Authorities. If water is supplied to a property from a private well, then each home owner is responsible for testing for contamination.

The EPA imposed restrictions in 1978.

The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) was set up to considerably increase the standards for cleanup of hazardous waste sites, as well as to increase the amount of funding.

Real estate agents should NEVER give an OPINION. Refer to a professional!