The Issue
Our environment today consists of man's state- of-the-an inventions and innovations such as computers, microwaves, fax machines, hair dryers, linoleum, and pressed wood products.
Lead solder is used in residential water supply lines, electric blankets cover our beds, gasoline fuels our cars, energy is carried through transformer lines to power stations to our homes, and we send our clothes to the dry cleaners. These wonderful modern conveniences have become
necessities rather than luxuries.

Do these conveniences pose a health risk? Let's look....
As technology was advancing by mega-Ieaps, our tracking of health effects was slow and tedious. Not until the late 7Os and early '80s did we begin to realize the impact our industrial society was having on our environment, including our air and water.

Pesticides, DDT, asbestos, and automobile exhaust foul our air and our land, our appliances emit a small to large magnetic field when operating. Our modem conveniences have shown to pose possible health risks. This brochure is an attempt to help you, the consumer, to identify potential health risks and to determine what type of environment you and your family will live in.

But - Don't Panic
Just because a specific area may have been identified as having a potentially hazardous condition doesn't mean there is great danger. It is possible that the condition is perceptual in nature rather than scientifically identified as hazardous to one's health.

What to look for
Definitions of potentially "hazardous conditions" or environmental 'buzz" words follow:

Air Pollution
Can be a gaseous or solid substance found in the air such as dust, bacteria, mold, pollen, and chemicals. Long-term inhalation can produce moderate to severe health effects.

Asbestos
A fibrous material used in flooring, walls, exterior shingles, ceiling tiles for insulation and as a fire retardant. When disturbed, particles become airborne and can be inhaled. The negative health effects may include cancer.

Benzene
A highly volatile component of gasoline, generally inhaled when gasoline is open to the air. Prolonged exposure is known to cause cancer.

CERCLA
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) commonly known as Superfund, is administered by the us Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Superfund laws and funding allow response to releases of hazardous substances and provide for cleanup by either the responsible parties or the
Superfund if no responsible parties are identified. The National Priorities List (NPL) establishes priorities for cleanup.

EMF
Electric and Magnetic Fields are found in the vicinity of transmission lines (power lines), domestic  appliances  such  as  hair  dryers,  electric  blankets,  toasters,  blenders,  and  food processors.  Some  studies  suggest  that  EMFs  can  produce  adverse  health  effects  when humans are in close proximity to the field for extended periods of time. The federal government is currently studying this issue.

Environmental Site Assessment

Level-Phase One:
A record analysis including a review of the property's chain of title for property uses, including the use or storage of hazardous substances or petroleum. Also includes a visual inspection of the property.

Level-Phase Two:
Observations and tests made by a qualified environmental consultant (identification and collection of samples based on prior use or obvious indicators from phase one).

Level-Phase three:
Cleanup and mitigation by professionals (engineers, environmental professional testing companies) when hazardous conditions are discovered. Authorities need to be notified at this
phase.

Formaldehyde
A colorless, gaseous chemical compound used in pressed wood products (i.e., furniture, cabinets, etc.), home insulation, glue, resins, and bonding agents which can cause severe allergic reactions.

Hazardous Substances
Any element, compound, mixture, solution or substance which, when released to the environment, may present a substantial danger to the public health, welfare or the environment.

Lead
A metal used in paint, as a pipe solder, stained glass window joint solder, found in automobile exhaust. Fetuses and young children may suffer impaired mental and physical development if lead is ingested or auto exhaust inhaled, even at low levels.

Noise
Being in the take-off or landing pattern of an airport, in close proximity to a freeway, near a warehouse or commercial enterprise, close to a school or being near a hotel or fire station, may preclude "quiet enjoyment" of your home.

NPL Site
National Priorities List (NPL) Site, also known as Federal Superfund site. Boundaries encompass any area where hazardous substances are located and can shift or expand over time. NPL sites are not precise boundaries of contamination.

PCB
A poisonous industrial chemical used in electrical equipment, such as transformers and capacitors, and which is suspected of causing cancer.

Pesticides
Chemicals used to kill animal and plant pests. Many of these chemicals have the potential to affect human health if swallowed, inhaled, or allowed to contact the skin for even short periods of time. Some chemicals, such as DDT, will persist in the soil for many years.

Radon
A naturally occurring, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas from earth and rock that can penetrate dwellings through cracks in the foundation and may cause cancer after long periods of inhalation.

Septic Tanks
Or alterative waste disposal systems found in locations where no sewer system is available. Seepage of discharge into the groundwater ultimately may reach the public and may cause
severe health problems.

Superfund
(See CERCLA)

UST
Underground storage tanks, which can corrode, causing the tank's contents to leak and contaminate the surrounding soil and groundwater. Fuel oil tanks used to heat homes or swimming pools, as well as gas tanks, when found to leak, can require treatment of contaminated soil by costly removal.

WQARF
The Water Quality Assurance Revolving Fund (WQARF -pronounced wharf) is Arizona's version of the Federal Superfund and is often referred to as the State Superfund.

WQARF Study Area
Defined geographical regions in Arizona where releases of hazardous substances have caused groundwater contamination. WQARF is used to identify the source and extent of contamination, as well as the parties responsible for the releases. WQARF Study Areas are not precise boundaries of contamination.

What can you do about it? (Minimize Your Risk)

How  do  we  minimize  future  liability  as  well  as  our  health  risks  when purchasing property?

Buyers should make all reasonable investigations regarding the environmental condition of the property prior to purchase.

Checklist for Consumers

•  Request a property disclosure statement from a Seller/Landlord/Agent. This should include any facts that would be material to the sale, such as property condition and use, both past and present.
• Request a detailed statement of intended use of the property from your tenant.
• Request a property inspection by a qualified individual on any property purchase. If you are purchasing a property over 10 years of age, you may want special environmental inspections done to determine if there is an existence of asbestos, formaldehyde, leaking underground storage tanks, or lead-based paint, especially if you intend to do remodeling. Test for radon in certain areas are also recommended.
• Determine whether or not the property is located in Superfund (WQARF or CERCLA)area.
• Check with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to find out about any new, specially designated problem sites.
• Take time to be diligent prior to acquiring the property. It's incumbent upon a buyer to learn about these potential problems in order to be completely comfortable about the
  property before buying it.

Material disclosures
Any known information that may affect the consideration to be paid for the property and is material to the sale must be disclosed to the buyer. Environmentally hazardous conditions are material and must be disclosed.

Homeowners not liable
It is important to remember that homeowners who have not caused or contributed to Superfund contamination arc not liable for any of the costs of cleaning up a Superfund site. Both federal and state law and federal and state policy protect innocent homeowners from this liability. In addition, in the entire history of Superfund, neither the EPA nor the Arizona
Department of Environmental Quality has ever held an innocent homeowner liable for
Superfund clean-up costs.

AZ Dept. of Environmental Quality
3033 North Central Avenue (at Earll) Phoenix, Arizona 85012
Information Center 800-234-5677 Ext.2217
Superfund Hot1ine Ext.4360
General Information Ext. 2300
Asbestos Hot1ine Ext. 233

US Environmental Protection Agency
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, California 95105
Region 9 (San Francisco) 415-744-1500

AZ Radiation Regulatory Agency
4814 South 40th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85040
Radon Questions 602-255-4845

National Lead Information Center
English and Spanish SOO-LEADFYI (532-3394)

© 1993 Arizona Association of REALTORS ®
All rights reserved