Practice Test Geeks(NHIE) National Home Inspector Examination Practice Test
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Environmental Concerns and Safety Issues Flashcards

7 cards from real NHIE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Environmental Concerns and Safety Issues flashcards as text

  1. The EPA action level for radon in indoor air that triggers mitigation is:

    Answer: 4 pCi/L

    The EPA recommends mitigation when long-term radon levels in a home reach or exceed 4 picocuries per liter of air.

  2. Which test method provides the most accurate long-term radon measurement for real estate transactions?

    Answer: Alpha track detector deployed for 90+ days

    Alpha track detectors used for 90 days or more provide the most accurate representation of long-term average radon exposure.

  3. A home inspector finds spray-applied fireproofing on structural steel beams in a 1960s building. The correct recommendation is:

    Answer: Do not disturb the material and recommend sampling by a certified industrial hygienist

    Spray-applied fireproofing from that era is often asbestos-containing and must be sampled by a qualified professional before any determination or disturbance.

  4. Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) was banned for residential use in 1982 because of concerns about:

    Answer: Formaldehyde off-gassing causing respiratory irritation and potential carcinogenicity

    The CPSC banned UFFI due to evidence that off-gassed formaldehyde caused eye and respiratory irritation and was a potential carcinogen.

  5. A home inspector detects a distinct rotten-egg odor near the water heater and gas lines. The most likely source is:

    Answer: Natural gas odorant (mercaptan) indicating a potential gas leak

    Natural gas is odorized with mercaptan (ethyl mercaptan) which has a strong rotten-egg smell, and its presence near gas equipment indicates a potential leak requiring immediate action.

  6. Which building material commonly found in pre-1978 homes is most likely to contain lead beyond paint?

    Answer: Solder joints in copper supply plumbing

    Lead solder was widely used to join copper pipes in residential plumbing until it was banned for potable water systems in 1986.

  7. An inspector finds mold growth on the backside of drywall in an exterior wall cavity. The most likely contributing cause is:

    Answer: Excessive interior humidity condensing on the cooler wall surface

    Warm, moist interior air reaching a cool surface within the wall cavity can condense, providing moisture that supports mold growth on organic materials like drywall paper.