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. According to EPA guidelines, which of the following conditions requires disclosure but NOT mandatory remediation before a home sale under federal law?

    Answer: Known lead-based paint hazards in pre-1978 homes

    The Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act requires disclosure of known LBP hazards in pre-1978 homes but does not mandate remediation before sale.

  2. A home inspector should recommend further evaluation for asbestos-containing materials (ACM) when roof shingles appear:

    Answer: Flat, grey-white, and brittle on a home built in 1965

    Flat, brittle, grey-white asbestos-cement roof shingles were commonly installed in the 1950s–1970s and warrant ACM evaluation when observed.

  3. The most significant long-term health risk from chronic low-level radon exposure is:

    Answer: Lung cancer, particularly in smokers

    Radon decay products emit alpha radiation in the lungs, and long-term exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US, especially in smokers.

  4. During a home inspection, which observation would most directly prompt the inspector to recommend carbon monoxide detector installation?

    Answer: Absence of CO detectors within 15 feet of sleeping areas in a home with gas appliances

    Most jurisdictions require CO detectors near sleeping areas in homes with gas, oil, or solid-fuel appliances; their absence is a safety deficiency.

  5. Which radon mitigation system is most commonly installed in homes with a basement or slab-on-grade foundation?

    Answer: Sub-slab depressurization (SSD) using a fan and PVC pipe through the slab

    Sub-slab depressurization creates negative pressure under the slab, drawing radon-laden soil gas out through a pipe before it can enter the home.

  6. What is the primary reason a home inspector should not use a moisture meter alone to confirm the presence of mold?

    Answer: Elevated moisture indicates conditions conducive to mold but does not confirm mold presence or species

    Moisture meters detect moisture content which promotes mold growth, but visible or laboratory confirmation is needed to actually identify mold.

  7. A home inspector finds dryer-like insulation in an attic that appears to be loose-fill material. A key field indicator that it may be vermiculite is:

    Answer: Pebble-like, shiny, accordion-shaped particles that are grey-silver

    Vermiculite insulation has a distinctive accordion or worm-like expanded particle shape with a grey-silver or gold-brown sheen, distinguishing it from cellulose or fiberglass.