When it comes to information, the Internet can be an embarrassment of riches. In some cases, you have to stop and ask "Do I really need to know this?" Oakland, CA-based Environment Alert is one of those cases. For only $9.95 and an investment of time on the Net, it will tell you what toxic releases, hazardous waste (solid and liquid), bad air, atmospheric discharges and Superfund sites are just around the corner. Simply enter your address and voilà! Toxin-shock syndrome.

Citing federal studies, Environmental Alert offers a litany of environmental hazards that could be lurking in your neighborhood.

• An estimated three to four million American children live within one mile of at least one hazardous waste site.
• Approximately 25 percent of U.S. kids live in areas that exceed the federal standards for ozone.
• Old and abandoned underground heating oil storage tanks can lead to liability and contamination problems in the home.
• And estimated one in four Americans live within four miles of a toxic waste dump.

"Many of us live in close proximity to toxic hazards and don't even know it.," says Bob Goldberg, president of EA. EA has archived more than 20 Environmental Protection Agency data bases and California's Environmental Protection Agency's database of leaking underground fuel tanks to tell you what toxins are under ground or in the air in your neighborhood.

"It has the highest value for people moving into a new area. Say they are looking at three or four houses. This additional information can help them decide," says Goldberg.

But what if you are already there? It's not like you can clean up a Superfund site. With so many people living near hazards it would take a mass exodus of biblical proportions to move everyone to safety.

"Most buyers could care less about the information," says Richard Calhoun, broker owner of Creekside Realty in San Jose, CA. True. Few are building bunkers in the Rockies.

"No matter where you live, there may be potential risks both on your property and in the surrounding neighborhood, Goldberg concedes.

While many states mandate that sellers must disclose known (with an emphasis on "known") conditions that could affect the value or salability of a home for sale, few if any laws exist that say you must specifically seek out and disclose environmental hazards.

"I am not aware of any California law requiring this. It is the standard practice in Santa Clara County to disclose this information, but that service is incorporated in geological disclosure services. And one point of all data makes the work easier. I see little value in this site," said Calhoun.

The non-profit League of California Homeowners sees it differently. Realtors selling land, builders developing land and buyers have a right to know if any environmental hazards exist.

"Saying 'I didn't know' is no longer a defense if hazardous material is involved. Selling land with hazardous material on or near it could prove to be a costly proposition for the seller and the Realtor if information is not disclosed" says Ken Willis, president of the League.

"This looks like a quick way to find out if there is any reason to be worried, or maybe if there needs to be a more thorough report made by an engineer," said Willis.

Environmental Action provides follow-up channels if you want to learn more about the findings or choose to take action. "It's not meant to be dependent on how proactive you are. It's a body of information to use to find some comfort in the fact that you don't have any toxins near. It's information to make you aware of your environment," said Goldberg.

Published: October 14, 1999

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