In real estate today, several environmental
issues are the concerns of potential investors,
developers, lenders, and homeowners. A lack of
understanding can be intimidating and
frightening, and may result in substantial risk
to many different parties. Below are
explanations of predominating environmental
issues, and links to organizations that can
provide you with the information you need to
make healthy, confident decisions in your real
estate transactions.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are mixtures of
chemicals that imitate properties of oils but are
non-flammable. They have been used in applications
ranging from paints and dyes to hydraulics and plastics.
PCBs can accumulate in groundwater and on soil surfaces,
and can bioaccumulate in fish. Health risks from
exposure to PCBs include cancer and harmful immune,
reproductive, neurological, and endocrine effects.
Introduction