Residential Environmental Hazards Booklet
Prepared by the California Environmental Protection Agency to inform homeowners, homebuyers, landlords, and tenants about environmental hazards found on and affecting residential property (AB 983 / AB 2753).
Why Disclosure Matters
California law requires sellers to disclose the presence of any known environmental hazards on residential property. This booklet, mandated by Chapter 969, Statutes of 1989 (AB 983) and consolidated with federal lead requirements, provides a general overview so buyers and owners can recognize and evaluate common hazards.
Chemical & Material Hazards
| Hazard | Common Sources | Primary Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Asbestos | Insulation, floor tile, roofing, older textured ceilings | Lung disease when fibers become airborne |
| Formaldehyde | Pressed-wood products, adhesives, some insulation | Respiratory irritation; possible carcinogen |
| Lead | Paint in pre-1978 homes, pipes, solder, soil | Nervous-system damage, especially in children |
| Hazardous / household waste | Solvents, pesticides, batteries, old fuel storage | Soil and groundwater contamination |
Air-Quality Hazards
- Carbon monoxide: a colorless, odorless gas from combustion appliances. California requires CO alarms in dwellings with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages (Health & Safety Code §13260).
- Mold: grows where moisture accumulates; can cause allergic and respiratory reactions. Control moisture to control mold.
Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate indoors and is a leading cause of lung cancer. Levels vary by location and building; inexpensive test kits are widely available, and mitigation systems can reduce elevated levels.
What Sellers Should Do
- Deliver this booklet to satisfy the informational requirement.
- Disclose any known environmental hazards on the Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement (Civil Code §1102).
- Provide the federal lead disclosure and pamphlet for pre-1978 housing.
- Recommend buyers obtain professional inspections where a hazard is suspected.
Bottom Line
This booklet is informational, not exhaustive. Known hazards must be disclosed, and where a hazard is suspected, an environmental survey by a qualified professional is the appropriate next step.