PSI Virginia Real Estate Practice Exam

Which of the following is classified as a type of hazard?

1. Lead

2. Granite

3. Wood

4. Water

The correct answer is: Lead

A hazard refers to anything that can cause harm or pose a risk to health or property. In the context of real estate and environmental health, lead is identified as a significant hazard due to its association with serious health issues, particularly in children and pregnant women. Lead can be found in older paint, pipes, and dust in homes built before 1978, when the U.S. banned the use of lead-based paints in residential properties. This categorization is critical in real estate because sellers and landlords are required to disclose any known lead hazards to potential buyers or tenants. Granite, wood, and water, while they may have associated risks in certain conditions, do not classify as hazards in the same way lead does. For example, while granite can emit radon gas (a potential hazard), it is not inherently classified as a hazard itself. Wood could be considered in terms of pest risks or decay, and water can relate to flooding or contamination, but these do not carry the same direct health implications tied specifically to exposure as lead does. Hence, lead is correctly classified as a hazard in this context.