Housing and Built Environment Flashcards

Under the HUD Lead Safe Housing Rule, at what age is a dwelling considered 'target housing' requiring lead hazard evaluation before federally assisted renovation?

Answer: Built before 1978

The HUD Lead Safe Housing Rule defines target housing as residential dwellings built before 1978, when lead-based paint was banned for residential use.

What is the EPA's action level for lead in drinking water that triggers public water systems to take corrective action?

Answer: 15 µg/L

The EPA action level for lead in drinking water is 15 micrograms per liter (µg/L or ppb); systems exceeding this must take corrective action.

Which federal program requires landlords and sellers to disclose known lead-based paint hazards in pre-1978 housing before sale or lease?

Answer: Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (Title X)

Title X of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act mandates disclosure of known lead-based paint and hazards in pre-1978 housing transactions.

Radon gas in homes is primarily a byproduct of which naturally occurring radioactive decay chain?

Answer: Uranium-238 decay to radium-226 to radon-222

Radon-222 is produced from the radioactive decay of radium-226, which itself comes from the uranium-238 decay chain naturally present in soil and rock.

The EPA recommends mitigation when indoor radon levels reach or exceed which concentration?

Answer: 4 pCi/L

The EPA recommends taking action to reduce radon when levels reach 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher in a home.

Which mold genus is most commonly associated with water-damaged buildings and classified as a 'black mold' of public health concern?

Answer: Stachybotrys chartarum

Stachybotrys chartarum is the mold commonly called 'black mold' and is associated with chronic water damage; it produces trichothecene mycotoxins of public health concern.

According to the International Property Maintenance Code, what minimum ceiling height is required for habitable rooms?

Answer: 7 feet (2134 mm)

The International Property Maintenance Code requires habitable rooms to have a minimum ceiling height of 7 feet (2134 mm) for at least 50% of the floor area.