© 2013 All rights reserved.Chapter 11 Part II Environmental Issues 1

New York Real Estate for Salespersons, 5th e

By Marcia Darvin SpadaCengage Learning

© 2013 All rights reserved.Chapter 11 Part II Environmental Issues 2

Chapter 11

Part II Environmental Issues

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Chapter 11 Key Terms

Asbestos

Chlordane

Chlorofluorocarbons

(CFCs)

Electromagnetic fields

Environmental Impact

Statement

Freon

Friable

Groundwater

Lead

Polychlorinated

biphenyls (PCBs)

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Chapter 11 Key Terms (continued)

Radon

State

Environmental

Quality Review

Act

Underground

storage tanks

Urea-formaldehyde

foam insulation

(UFFI)

Wetlands

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Overview of Environmental Issues

Municipal and private water supply and wastewater contamination of drinking and groundwater

Wetlands contamination

Pest infestation — wood eating insects

Asbestos fiber release

Lead — toxicity of water, paint, soil

Radon — radioactivity in air

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Overview of Environmental Issues continued

Indoor Air Quality Urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) Mold

Hazardous waste-imminent danger to nearby real estate

Underground storage tanks — problem of leakage

Electromagnetic fields — exposure may cause illness

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

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Public Drinking Water SupplyWater Quality

Standards

Must meet federal and state standards

NYS Department of Health

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New York’s Public Water Supply System

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Water Quality and Flow Issues

Public or private

Water safety-bacteria, mineral content

Testing and remediation

Laboratory tests performed for well water

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Pest Infestation

Carpenterbees

Carpenterbees

Carpenterants

Carpenterants

Powder-post

beetles

Powder-post

beetles

TermitesTermites

Woodeatinginsects

Woodeatinginsects

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Wood Eating Insects

Chapter 11 Part II Environmental Issues 11

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Wetland Regulations Areas on or near a

wetland may require a permit of letter of permission

Wetlands mapped and regulated by NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

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Contemporary Issues

ChlorofluorocarbonsWood-eating pestsUnderground storage tanksElectromagnetic fieldsAsbestosLeadRadonBiologicals

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AsbestosConstruction Materials

Friability of substance; allows particles to infiltrate lungs causing cancer

Health risks if disturbed

Testing performed by state certified inspectors

TestingAir monitoringBulk samplingWipe sampling RemediationEncapsulationEnclosureRemoval

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Lead

Drinkingwater

Drinkingwater

Soil and dust

Soil and dust

PaintPaint

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The Residential Leadbased Paint Hazard Reduction Act

Federal lawPre-1978

residential properties

Disclosure of leadbased paint if known

Disclosure by seller, lessors, their agents

Up to $10,000 fine for noncompliance

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Testing for Lead in Water and Paint

Lab will test paint chipLead testing swabs for solder, soil,

paint and dustLead in water-lab tested sample

Best to leave paint in place if in good condition and not disturbed by children

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Ways that Radon Enters a Home

At the time of

contract of sale, a

radon contingency

is included

Cracks in chimneyCracks in concrete block or slabThrough sump pumpLoosely installed pipesIncoming water pipes

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Testing for Radon

Charcoalcanisters

Canisterssent to

lab

Two to seven day

test

Alpha trackdetectors-seasonal

Levels of less than 4 picocuries

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Factors that Affect Air QualityBacteria

Combustion sources

Building materials

Cleaning products

Pressed-woodfurniture

Heating and coolingsystems

Carpeting

Outside sources (radon)

Formaldehyde

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Environmental Assessments

State EnvironmentalQuality

Review Act

State EnvironmentalQuality

Review Act

Environmental Assessments

Environmental Assessments

Environmental Impact StatementEnvironmental

Impact Statement

Ways to reduce andavoid adverseenvironmental

impacts

Ways to reduce andavoid adverseenvironmental

impacts

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Comprehensive Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)

Identify sites containing hazardous substances

Superfund Amendment expands Act

Liability may be passed to new owners

Due diligence reviews conducted to avoid liability to new owner in title transfer

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Other Environmental ConcernsUnderground

storage tanksLeakage

contaminates soil and waterways

Electromagnetic fieldsExposure may cause

cancer

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)Threat to the ozone

layer