|
E NVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS IN RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE Environmental Data Resources
1Contaminants found in the home, such as lead-based paint, mold and radon pose known health
risks and are routinely evaluated by home inspectors and other professionals. Threats from
pollution outside the home, such as groundwater and soil contamination are often as hazardous
and are gaining increased attention in residential real estate.
RISKS TO HOMEOWNERS & HOMEBUYERS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Pollutants such as hazardous waste from industrial sites, solvents from dry cleaners and petroleum
from leaking tanks can seep into soil and groundwater and cause unhealthy living conditions.
Likewise, chemicals in the ground can travel through the soil as vapor, contaminating indoor air.
There are three primary risks:
● Contaminated property is usually devalued; many studies show that properties near contaminated
sites are often devalued as well; such properties can become stigmatized
● Exposure to contamination via groundwater, surface water, soil, or vapors can compromise
human health
● Homebuyers can be liable for a cleanup, even if they didn't cause-or know aboutcontamination,
when it comes time to sell the home
COMMON CAUSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
There are many types of environmental hazards that vary by region across the United States.
Some of the more common sources of hazards include:
● Leaking underground storage tanks and spills of toxic substances
● Prior commercial, agricultural or industrial activity on or near the property
(often going back to the late 1800s or early 1900s)
● Contamination from vapors or liquid that has migrated via underground plumes (that can spread
for miles) or groundwater
● Illegal dumping of hazardous materials
● Improper handling, treatment, or storage of hazardous materials
VAPOR INTRUSION
HOW TO DETECT IF THERE IS A PROBLEM
Testing properties for environmental hazards involves skills and technology that are usually too
expensive for the average homebuyer. Federal, state, and local branches of the EPA and other
government agencies have identified thousands of potentially contaminated sites nationwide.
Thus, the nearest regional office of the EPA is often a good place to start researching the location
and status of local hazardous sites.
Another option is to purchase an environmental report. These reports compile data from a variety
of government and private databases to condense information about relevant environmental
hazards into one source. Hazards covered in the reports often include information about nearby
leaking underground tanks, spills, Superfund sites, hazardous waste sites, landfills, and even
clandestine drug labs (a.k.a. meth labs) in some areas.
WHAT TO DO IF CONTAMINATION IS DETECTED OR SUSPECTED
When homebuyers or homeowners are concerned about contamination there are a few simple
steps that can be taken.
1. Test well water: If the property is served by a private well, make sure the well water is tested.
If there are concerns about a nearby underground petroleum leak, make sure the water is
tested for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If water contamination is detected it can often
be addressed by installing additional filtering systems.
2. Correct indoor air quality
problems: If indoor air quality is being affected by vapors entering the structure from underground plumes of contaminants, a ventilation system can be installed. These are the same systems that are used to dissipate radon gas.
3. Look for obvious signs:
Finally, look for signs that contamination could be affecting soil or water on the surface. Signs include patches of dead vegetation, strong odors, dark or oily soil, and an oily sheen on the surface of water.
2 Environmental Data Resources
© 2007 Environmental Data Resources, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Trademarks are the property of Environmental Data Resources, Inc. or its affiliates.
|
