Glossary of Items of Disclosure

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Abatement - Removal or the controlled release of contaminants. Includes operations and maintenance (O&M), encapsulation, enclosure, and removal.

Above-ground release - Any release of gasoline or other contaminants to the surface of the land or surface water, such as from the above-ground portion of a UST system or overfills.

Above-ground tank - A storage reservoir device that is situated above grade so that the entire surface area, including the bottom, can be visually inspected.

ACM - Asbestos containing material.

Action level - The concentration of a contaminant that determines the necessity to remediate.

ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act, which places restrictions on the use of buildings that, are used by the public to facilitate easier access by people with disabilities.

Adjacent property - A property that is not contaminated but is located next to or nearby a site that is.

Aeration - The introduction of oxygen into a contaminated liquid, which creates gases that are then released.

Aerobic - Requiring oxygen.

AIRS: Aerometric Information Retrieval System- An EPA database of sites with air emission reporting.

Air and light diminution - The loss of natural sunlight or air space due to the construction of improvements.

Air sample clearance test - Air monitoring at the completion of a contamination abatement or remediation project.

Air stripping - An in situ groundwater remediation process. Contaminated groundwater is pumped to the surface and processed in an air stripping tower. The water flows over packing materials. The contaminated water comes in contact with air and the contaminants mix with the air. The contaminated air is released or filtered.

Airport - Any airport, such as municipal, national, international or military, that creates noise contours over other properties.

Amended water - Mixture of water and surfactant.

Aquatic flora - Any plant life associated with the aquatic ecosystem, such as algae, seaweed, etc.

Aquifer - A subterranean geological formation that is capable of supplying a significant amount of water to a well or spring.

Arenas - A large stadium for hosting sporting or other events.

Arson - The act of deliberately setting fire to a property.

Asbestos - Natural mineral mined from rock and used in construction. Properties include noncombustibility, corrosion resistance, high tensile strength, and both thermal and electrical insulating capability.

Asbestosis - A chronic lung disease, resulting from the scarring of lung tissues by asbestos fibers.

Assemblage - A collection of two or more parcels by one property owner. The buyer may (but not always) pay a premium over the market value because of the buyer’s special motivations associated with the buyer’s use of the combined parcels.

Assessments - An property tax or bond encumbrance.

Assessment stage - The first stage of a detrimental condition analysis. It includes all costs and losses of income in this stage.

Association dues - The requirements to pay dues to an association that is a legal obligation of the property owner.

AST: Aboveground Storage Tanks (see UST)

Attainability analysis - A scientific assessment of the use or possible remediation that is proposed.

Auction - The sale of property by sale to the highest bidder.

Avalanche - The sudden and swift flow of a mass of ice, snow, soil, rock, or other material down a hillside or mountainside.

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