Residential Environmental Hazards Screening

This course begins with an overview of global environmental problems. These include global warming, destruction of rain forests, and the depletion of the ozone layer. How the government is attempting to solve our national and community environment is covered by a section on federal and state environmental laws and agencies. Important court cases add to this information. The regulations and guidelines of those agencies that grant mortgages are also covered. Information pertaining to national and local problems are discussed including hazardous waste sites, acid rain, wetlands & flood plains, drinking water and sanitary waste disposal. The student is also introduced to the many environmental hazards and detrimental environmental conditions that affect individual sites and building. They are shown how it is possible for a real estate professional to screen a property for apparent environmental hazards without extensive additional training.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the major global environmental problems including global warming, destruction of the rain forests, and depletion of the ozone layer.
• Understand the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Superfund Amendment, and the Re-Authorization Act (SARA), and how these have significantly affected the ownership and use of American residential, commercial and industrial real estate.
• Discuss other federal and state laws and regulations.
• Describe how the various environmental aspects of hazardous waste sites, acid rain, wetlands and flood plains, drinking water and sanitary waste disposal affect the environment.
• Identify how the many environmental hazards and detrimental environmental conditions affect individual properties.
• Develop the skills needed to screen a property for apparent environmental hazards and detrimental conditions.
• Know when there is a need for using an environmental specialist to make Phase I, II, and III inspections and audits.

Course Outline

• Environmental Problems Overview
• Levels of Environmental Screening & Auditing
• Drinking Water
• Sanitary Waste Disposal
• Soil Contaminants
• Asbestos
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
• Radon
• Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)
• Nearby Hazardous Waste Sites
• UREA Formaldehyde Insulation (UFFI)
• Lead Paint
• Air Pollution
• Wetlands & Flood Plains
• Mold
• Meth Labs
• Other Hazardous Substances & Problems