CHI Environmental & Safety Assessment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the EPA action level for radon in indoor air that triggers mitigation?
- 2 pCi/L
- 4 pCi/L (Correct answer)
- 8 pCi/L
- 10 pCi/L
Correct answer: 4 pCi/L
The EPA recommends mitigation when radon levels reach or exceed 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L).
Question 2: Which type of insulation, commonly found in homes built before 1980, is a known asbestos-containing material?
- Fiberglass batt insulation
- Cellulose blown-in insulation
- Vermiculite attic insulation (Correct answer)
- Spray polyurethane foam
Correct answer: Vermiculite attic insulation
Vermiculite insulation, particularly from the Libby, Montana mine, is known to be contaminated with asbestos.
Question 3: A home inspector discovers visible mold on drywall in a basement. What is the MOST appropriate action?
- Scrub and document the mold during the inspection
- Note the finding and recommend evaluation by a qualified mold remediation specialist (Correct answer)
- Spray bleach on the mold and mark it as resolved
- Ignore it if the mold area is smaller than 10 square feet
Correct answer: Note the finding and recommend evaluation by a qualified mold remediation specialist
Home inspectors identify and document mold presence but defer remediation assessment to qualified specialists.
Question 4: Carbon monoxide (CO) is most dangerous because it is:
- Highly flammable and explosive
- Colorless and odorless, making it undetectable without a detector (Correct answer)
- Heavier than air and pools at floor level
- Visible as a yellow-brown gas
Correct answer: Colorless and odorless, making it undetectable without a detector
CO is colorless and odorless, so occupants cannot detect it without a CO detector, making it a silent killer.
Question 5: What does GFCI stand for in the context of electrical safety?
- Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (Correct answer)
- General Fault Current Indicator
- Grounded Fixture Connection Interface
- Ground Frequency Circuit Isolator
Correct answer: Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, a safety device that cuts power when it detects current leakage.
Question 6: Which water test is MOST important to recommend for a home on a private well?
- pH and hardness only
- Coliform bacteria and nitrates (Correct answer)
- Chlorine residual levels
- Dissolved oxygen content
Correct answer: Coliform bacteria and nitrates
Coliform bacteria and nitrates are the primary health concerns in private well water and are recommended for testing.
Question 7: During an inspection, a home inspector notices a furnace flue pipe with a visible separation. This is a safety concern primarily because of:
- Reduced heating efficiency
- Risk of carbon monoxide entering the living space (Correct answer)
- Increased moisture in the basement
- Higher natural gas consumption
Correct answer: Risk of carbon monoxide entering the living space
A separated flue pipe can allow combustion gases, including carbon monoxide, to escape into living areas.
CHI Environmental & Safety Assessment 2
What is the EPA action level for radon in indoor air that triggers mitigation?