Maryland Real Estate - Chapter 21

who makes sure the public is safe

the environmental protection agency

who creates the environmental protection agency regulations

congress

what is asbestos

a fire resistant insullation that was in homes from 1940-1978 and was banned in 1978, it is friable

what does friable mean

when substance breaks down into small pieces and becomes airborne when exposed or disturbed

what is encapsulation

sealing off disinegrated asbestos, the preferred method of removal

what is lead paint

used as pigment and a drying agent that was banned in 1978

what are kids at risk for when exposed to lead paint

learning disabilities, development delays, height reduction and poor hearing

what are problems in adults exposed to lead paint

anemia, hypertension, reproductive issues, gallbladder issues

what can be contaminated by lead piping

soil and water

what is a paint inspection

where different layers of paint are tested for the levels of lead in them but no the hazard level

what is risk assesment

tells what level of serious lead is within the home and how to get rid of it

what is radon

a naturally occuring, colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that comes from radioactive decay in the earth, it is believed to be a carcinogen

what can radon develop in adults

lung cancer

what is mitigation

a fan system that pulls radon from the basement to the attic and out of the home

what is formaldehyde

colorless chemical with strong odor and used as a preservative in building supplies

what is formaldehyde a major contributor to

sick building syndrome

what is urea-formaldehyde foam insulation

an illegal use of foam insulation that never cures properly

what is carbon monoxide

a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that occurs from burning fuels

what can carbon monoxide posion cause

dizziness, nausea, and possible death

what is polychlorinated biphenyls

its over 200 compounds not found in nature that are flame resistant

what can polychlorinated biphenyls cause

low fertility and low life spans, it was banned in 1979 commercially

what are chlorofluorocarbons

nontoxic, nonflammable, chemicals in fridges, ac and freezers, mostly ended being manufacterd in 1996

what is mold

naturally growing growth in moist areas that can cause allergy or asthma attacks

what is groundwater

trapped water under surface in tiny spacesw

what is a water table

a natural level that keeps the ground saturated

what is the safe drinking water act

created in 1974 that protects natural drinking water supply

what is the clean water act

epa protects the water in wetlands

what are underground storage tanks

found where petroleum is used or at gas/auto shops or print/chemical plants

what is the resource conservation recovery act

epa program for proper management of storage tanks and hazardous waste

what tanks are exempt for federal regulation

tanks under 110 gallons

farm/resident tanks under 1100 gallons

tanks that store heating oil

tanks in basements

septic tanks

what are landfills

giant holes lined with clay and underground pipes to prevent leakage that are then lined with waste and soil

what is capping

putting 2-3 feet of soil over waster and then grass to prevent erosion

what is a special hazardous waste site

areas for nuclear power plants, toxic chemicals, and waste from medical or scientific use

what is a brownsfield

defect commercial/industrial sites that hold toxic waste

what is the small business liability relief/brownfields law

gives funds to celan up these areas and ehance them, signed in 2002

what is the comprehensive environmental response compensation liability act

clean up funds for hazardous waste sites and spills signed in 1980

what is the amount in the superfund

1.6 billions

who is in control of the CERCLA

the epa

what is superfunds amendments and reauthorizations act

innocent landowners immunity status for hazardous waste spills

what is common law

case law based on judicial precedent

who is most at risk for liability

the seller nad then the lender and then the agent

what are environmental auditors

scientific or tech experts who provide comprehensive studies

what are environmental sit assesments

done on a property to ensure due care was done and helps with liability

what is phase 1 of the site assesment

requrest to see if any concerns are present

what is phase 2 of site assesment

soil water testing

what require an environmental impact statement

federally funded projects