Question

A product found in homes built before 1978 is harmful to children. It can lead to birth defects and is generally hazardous. It should only be cleaned up by specialists, and is a required disclosure for sales of real property. What environmental hazard is this?

Answer 1

The hazardous environmental substance found in homes built before 1978 that is harmful to children and can cause birth defects is lead-based paint. It is a required disclosure during real property sales and should only be cleaned up by professionals.

Step-by-step explanation:

The environmental hazard you're referring to is lead-based paint. This toxic substance was commonly used in homes prior to its ban in 1978. It is known to be particularly harmful to children, as it can cause a range of health issues including brain damage, developmental delays, and even death when large amounts are ingested or inhaled as dust. Lead poisoning can also lead to birth defects and is generally hazardous to human health, which is why it should only be handled by trained specialists.

Homes built before the ban are required to disclose the presence of lead-based paint when being sold. This is critical because even if the paint is not peeling or cracking now, activities like sanding or renovating can expose the toxic lead beneath newer layers of paint. Since lead can be found throughout the environment, including in homes, it's important to be aware of this risk and take appropriate steps to mitigate exposure, especially for young children and pregnant women.