Connecticut Practice TestEnvironmental

Connecticut Environmental
Practice Questions & Answers (2026)

Environmental questions on the Connecticut exam cover both federal environmental laws and Connecticut-specific disclosure requirements. Federal topics include lead-based paint (pre-1978 housing), asbestos, radon, underground storage tanks, and CERCLA liability. Connecticut has additional state-level environmental disclosure requirements enforced by the Connecticut Real Estate Commission — including Connecticut-specific environmental conditions that affect property use and disclosure. Environmental questions trip up candidates who studied only federal law without reviewing the CT-specific overlay.

Practice Questions

Connecticut Environmental — Practice Questions & Answers

123 questions on Environmental from the Connecticut real estate question bank. First 10 are free — sign up to unlock all 123.

Q1. Connecticut requires disclosure of lead-based paint hazards for homes built before:

A.1970
B.1978
C.1980
D.1988

Explanation

Federal law (and Connecticut practice) requires disclosure of known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards for residential properties built before 1978, when the federal government banned its residential use.

Q2. Radon gas is a concern in many Connecticut homes because:

A.It is produced by old building materials like asbestos
B.It is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps from soil and rock and can accumulate in buildings
C.It is released by underground oil storage tanks
D.It is emitted by older lead paint when it deteriorates

Explanation

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium in soil and rock. It can seep into buildings through foundation cracks and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. Connecticut has significant radon risk areas.

Q3. Underground storage tanks (USTs) on a Connecticut property that have leaked petroleum products are regulated primarily under:

A.Connecticut's Transfer Act
B.RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) and Connecticut DEEP regulations
C.The Clean Air Act
D.RESPA

Explanation

Underground storage tank regulations fall under RCRA at the federal level and are administered by Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Leaking USTs require remediation and must be disclosed.

Q4. Connecticut's Transfer Act requires environmental disclosure and potential remediation when:

A.Any property is sold in Connecticut
B.Certain types of commercial and industrial properties are transferred
C.A residential property has a swimming pool
D.A property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Explanation

Connecticut's Transfer Act requires specific environmental disclosures and potential investigation/remediation when certain commercial or industrial establishments (that may have caused contamination) are transferred.

Q5. Asbestos-containing materials (ACM) found in a Connecticut building built before 1980 are most hazardous when they are:

A.Intact and encapsulated in good condition
B.Friable — damaged, crumbling, or releasing fibers into the air
C.Painted over with latex paint
D.Located in exterior walls only

Explanation

Friable asbestos (material that can be crumbled by hand pressure and releases fibers) is the most hazardous because airborne asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma and lung cancer when inhaled. Intact, encapsulated ACM is generally less dangerous.

Q6. CERCLA (the Superfund law) holds current property owners liable for hazardous waste cleanup even if they did not cause the contamination. This is known as:

A.Strict liability
B.Comparative negligence
C.Vicarious liability
D.Contributory negligence

Explanation

CERCLA imposes strict liability, meaning current owners, past owners, and others who contributed to contamination can be held liable for cleanup costs even without fault. This is why environmental due diligence is critical in commercial transactions.

Q7. Urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) was commonly used in Connecticut homes in the 1970s. It was banned for residential use because:

A.It caused structural damage to foundation walls
B.It off-gasses formaldehyde, a volatile organic compound that causes health problems
C.It contained lead and was toxic to children
D.It was a fire hazard and violated building codes

Explanation

UFFI was banned for residential use in 1982 after studies showed it off-gasses formaldehyde gas, which is a respiratory irritant and possible carcinogen. Properties with UFFI should be disclosed.

Q8. A Phase I environmental site assessment involves:

A.Soil boring and sampling to test for contamination
B.A review of historical records, site inspection, and interviews — no soil sampling
C.A full remediation plan prepared by a licensed engineer
D.Demolition of structures to inspect subsurface conditions

Explanation

A Phase I ESA is a non-invasive review of historical records (aerial photos, prior uses, regulatory databases), a site inspection, and interviews to identify recognized environmental conditions (RECs) without physical sampling.

Q9. Wetlands in Connecticut are protected primarily because they:

A.Are required by federal law to be left undisturbed for 50 years
B.Provide flood control, water quality improvement, wildlife habitat, and groundwater recharge
C.Are valuable only for agricultural uses
D.Must be deeded to the state when a property is sold

Explanation

Connecticut wetlands are protected because they provide critical ecological services: flood attenuation, filtering of pollutants, groundwater recharge, and habitat for fish and wildlife. Development in or near wetlands requires permits from local inland wetlands commissions.

Q10. A Connecticut homebuyer discovers an old oil tank in the basement. The appropriate next step is to:

A.Ignore it since basement tanks are not regulated in Connecticut
B.Have the tank inspected, tested for leaks, and properly decommissioned if necessary
C.Paint the tank to prevent rust and consider the matter resolved
D.Report it immediately to the IRS

Explanation

Old heating oil tanks can leak petroleum into the soil, creating costly cleanup obligations. The appropriate step is professional inspection and testing, followed by proper decommissioning (removal or filling in place) per Connecticut DEEP regulations.

Q11. Which federal law requires disclosure of known lead-based paint hazards in housing built before 1978?

A.Clean Air Act
B.Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (Title X)
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