Asbestos: insulation/tiles pre-1980s — encapsulation often SAFER than removal
Before you read
Test yourself first: 5 questions
Question 1 of 5
A leaking underground storage tank on a property primarily raises concern about:
Answer: A. Leaking USTs can contaminate soil/groundwater and create cleanup liability — a material environmental issue to disclose/investigate.
Question 2 of 5
The presence of which environmental hazard is most often the subject of a required property disclosure due to its hidden, latent nature?
Answer: B. Radon is an odorless, invisible gas, making it a latent hazard commonly addressed in disclosures because buyers cannot detect it by sight.
Question 3 of 5
The acronym CERCLA, the federal law governing cleanup of hazardous waste sites, stands for the:
Answer: B. CERCLA is the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, commonly known as Superfund.
Question 4 of 5
To qualify for the innocent landowner defense under CERCLA, a purchaser must have conducted:
Answer: A. The 'all appropriate inquiries' standard is generally met with a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment performed before purchase, supporting the innocent landowner defense.
Question 5 of 5
Which environmental hazard is most associated with formaldehyde off-gassing from pressed-wood products and certain older insulation?
Answer: A. Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) and some pressed-wood products can release formaldehyde gas, an indoor air-quality concern.
Keep the streak going with more questions like these, each with a full rationale.
Must-know rules
- Radon: odorless gas from soil — #1 fix is ventilation/mitigation; test, don't guess
- Asbestos: insulation/tiles pre-1980s — encapsulation often SAFER than removal
- Mold: moisture problem first, mold second; disclose known water damage
- USTs (buried tanks): leaks contaminate soil — look for fill pipes on old properties
- Formaldehyde/UFFI, PCBs, brownfields: know the acronyms for the exam
Environmental Hazards Lineup: FAQs
Is Environmental Hazards Lineup on the real estate exam?
Yes. Disclosures & Environmental is a scored domain on the real estate licensing exam, and this topic appears in the national portion.
Is this cheat sheet free?
Yes — every page on Cinna RE's resource library is free to read, print and share. The app adds practice questions, mock exams and a readiness score.
