NHIE Environmental Concerns and Safety Issues 2

Question 1

What is the primary health concern associated with exposure to vermiculite insulation in homes built before 1990?

Accepted Answer

Asbestos contamination from Libby, Montana mines

Answer

Much of the vermiculite sold before 1990 came from Libby, Montana mines contaminated with asbestos-like tremolite fibers.

Question 2

A home inspector notices white crystalline stains on a basement wall. This efflorescence most directly indicates:

Accepted Answer

Water migration through masonry carrying dissolved minerals

Answer

Efflorescence is caused by water moving through masonry, dissolving salts, and depositing them on the surface as it evaporates.

Question 3

Which condition most significantly increases the risk of carbon monoxide accumulation inside a residence?

Accepted Answer

Negative air pressure caused by exhaust fans drawing combustion air from flues

Answer

Negative pressure (backdrafting) can pull combustion gases including CO back into living spaces from flues and heat exchangers.

Question 4

When inspecting a home with a private well, a home inspector should note that bacterial contamination is most commonly tested for using:

Accepted Answer

Total coliform and E. coli analysis

Answer

Total coliform and E. coli tests are the standard indicators used to assess bacterial contamination in drinking water.

Question 5

A home inspector observes a floor tile that is soft, dimpled, and 9x9 inches in a home built in 1958. The appropriate action is to:

Accepted Answer

Note the tile as presumed asbestos-containing material and recommend testing before disturbance

Answer

9x9 inch resilient floor tiles from that era are presumed ACM; they should be noted and undisturbed until tested or handled by a qualified abatement professional.

(NHIE) National Home Inspector Examination Practice Test

(NHIE) National Home Inspector Examination Practice Test

NHIE Environmental Concerns and Safety Issues 2