California Environmental
Practice Questions & Answers (2026)
Environmental questions on the California exam cover both federal environmental laws and California-specific disclosure requirements. Federal topics include lead-based paint (pre-1978 housing), asbestos, radon, underground storage tanks, and CERCLA liability. California has additional state-level environmental disclosure requirements enforced by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) — including California-specific environmental conditions that affect property use and disclosure. Environmental questions trip up candidates who studied only federal law without reviewing the CA-specific overlay.
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California Environmental — Practice Questions & Answers
86 questions on Environmental from the California real estate question bank. First 10 are free — sign up to unlock all 86.
Q1. Which federal law requires disclosure of lead-based paint in homes built before 1978?
Explanation
The Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (Title X) requires sellers and landlords to disclose known lead-based paint hazards in housing built before 1978.
Q2. What is radon?
Explanation
Radon is a naturally occurring colorless, odorless radioactive gas that comes from the decay of uranium in soil. It can seep into buildings and is a leading cause of lung cancer.
Q3. Asbestos becomes a health hazard when it is:
Explanation
Asbestos is most dangerous when it is friable — crumbling or deteriorating — and releasing microscopic fibers into the air that can be inhaled and cause serious lung diseases.
Q4. CERCLA (Superfund) holds which parties responsible for environmental cleanup?
Explanation
CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) imposes strict, joint and several liability on potentially responsible parties — including past owners, current owners, operators, and those who transported hazardous substances to the site.
Q5. What is a Natural Hazard Disclosure (NHD) in California?
Explanation
California requires sellers to disclose whether a property is in a natural hazard zone — including flood zones, fire hazard zones, earthquake fault zones, seismic hazard zones, and others.
Q6. What does CERCLA stand for?
Explanation
CERCLA stands for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act — the federal Superfund law that governs cleanup of contaminated sites.
Q7. Underground storage tanks (USTs) are a concern in real estate because:
Explanation
Leaking underground storage tanks (commonly found at gas stations and older commercial properties) can contaminate soil and groundwater, creating serious environmental liability for property owners.
Q8. What is the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone Act in California?
Explanation
The Alquist-Priolo Act prohibits most new buildings intended for human occupancy from being built within 50 feet of an active earthquake fault trace. Sellers must disclose if a property is in a fault zone.
Q9. Mold in a home is most commonly associated with:
Explanation
Mold grows in the presence of moisture and organic material. It is typically associated with water leaks, flooding, condensation, and poor ventilation. California requires disclosure of known mold.
Q10. Proposition 65 in California requires:
Explanation
Proposition 65 (Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act) requires businesses to provide clear warnings before exposing Californians to chemicals listed as known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.
Q11. Which federal Superfund law holds current and past property owners potentially liable for cleanup of hazardous substances, even if they did not cause the contamination?
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