| What is it? |
Where is it? |
What do you do? |
| Lead |
|
|
| A potentially lethal toxic metal that builds up slowly in the bloodstream,
causing damage to the central nervous system, kidneys, circulation,
muscles, joints, and hearing. |
- Chipped, cracked, or peeling paint (manufactured before 1978).
Pipes in older properties
- Soldered copper pipes in newer properties
|
Federal law requires you to disclose any knowledge of lead-based
paints in your home, and include a federal form about lead-based paints
with the sales contract. You are not required to have your property
inspected for lead before you sell or to remove any lead-based paint.
|
| Asbestos |
|
|
| A mineral substance that insulates and resists fire. Asbestos fibers
are microscopic and can cause severe lung damage. |
- Wall insulation (mostly in homes built between 1930 and 1950)
- Siding
- Shingles
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Pipe insulation in older homes
- Textured paint and wall-patching materials manufactured before
1977
|
Disclose any known asbestos. If asbestos is contained, disclose
it and leave it (removal can increase the health risk). If asbestos
is loose or crumbling, it constitutes a health hazard and you may
be required to remove the material before you can sell. Hire an expert
to remove asbestos. |
| Radon |
|
|
| An odorless, invisible gas caused by the breakdown of uranium in
the soil. Radon can cause lung cancer in concentrated amounts, and
is primarily found in northern portion of the United States. |
- Basements
- Cracks in foundations
- Sump pumps
- Gaps in plumbing, wiring, ducts, or joints in structural parts
of the house
- Wells
|
If you have tested for radon, you must disclose the results. Lowering
radon levels can be a simple repair job, such as covering your sump
pump-or it can require an expensive ventilation system that should
be installed by an EPA-certified contractor. |
| Carbon monoxide |
|
|
| An odorless, invisible gas that renders the body incapable of absorbing
oxygen. It is generated primarily by burning fossil fuels such as
natural gas, propane, gasoline, wood, kerosene, or heating oil. |
- Furnaces
- Stoves
- Space heaters
- Wood-burning or gas fireplaces
- Automobiles
|
Disclose any previous carbon monoxide problems. Before you sell,
have your furnace, stove, fireplace, and chimney inspected for any
leaks or operating problems. Install a carbon monoxide detector on
each floor of your home. |
| Formaldehyde |
|
|
| An acrid, colorless gas that can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat,
and cause difficulty breathing. It is produced primarily by emissions
from formaldehyde glues and resins in new building materials. |
- Building materials such as plywood, particleboard, hardwood
paneling, and fiberboard
- Glues
- Paints
- Preservatives
- Some gas stoves and kerosene space heaters
- Foam insulation (found in many 1970s homes)
|
Disclose any formaldehyde problems you have experienced. Increase
ventilation in the property to disperse fumes. Remove materials if
possible. Seal new paneling with polyurethane. |
