Warning...Many Foreclosed Homes contain Hazardous Wastes

Have you ever discovered household chemicals in a home that you listed or that your Buyer wants to purchase? Garden pesticides, weed killers, drain cleaners, paint, chlorine bleach, laundry detergents, oven cleaners, solvents, batteries, electronic wastes, and automotive fluid are just some of the common Hazardous Materials used by homeowners. It is against the law to throw Hazardous Materials in the trash, municipal dump, to pour them down the sewer or storm drain...and no, you cannot dig a big hole and bury them either!

A Hazardous Material becomes a "Hazardous Waste" when there is no further use intended for the material...and there are very strict laws and regulations about handling and disposing of Hazardous Wastes. Fines up to $25,000 per day, per incident, can be charged to persons and companies that do not follow the Hazardous Wastes laws and regulations in California.

The governmental agency that regulates Hazardous Waste in California, the Department of Toxic Substances (DTSC), recognizes the increased potential for the mishandling of hazardous waste with the large number of abandoned and foreclosed homes. To help avoid these circumstances, DTSC has issued a Press Release announcing a new Fact Sheet that presents guidelines for the proper handling and disposal of residential Hazardous Waste.

You can see the DTSC's Fact Sheet at http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/ContactDTSC/ManagingHW-ForeclosedProperties.cfm.

Other news articles of reference are: http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/79230 and http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2008/10/27/daily38.html

Keep in mind that the Fact Sheet was written for California laws, and they may be different in another state. You should check with local and state Environmental Protection or Environmental Health Agencies in your area.

Environmentally Yours,

Nancy Lancaster is a Realtor and Ecobroker practicing in the greater Sacramento region for Lyon Real Estate . Visit Nancy Lancaster website to find homes for sale in Sacramento. Nancy Lancaster sponsors a unique program called "Healthy Homes For You".