Hazardous, Toxic, or Radioactive Substances

The location of toxic sites may be found in the U.S. EPA's list of sites declared toxic under CERCLA and RCRA. For other possible polluted sites, site inspections and building and use permit records as well as Sanborn Co. maps show previous land uses which could have left toxic residues.

• Explosive Hazards:
  The location of explosive hazards and their potential explosive impact zones may be found in a number of sources including land use maps, special surveys, arial photos, local use permits, and special local, state, and federal transport permits.


• Seismic Hazards:
  The U.S. Geological Survey has announced several new products related to the USGS national seismic hazard maps. Many new features have been added to the maps' Internet Web site. For example, users can now look up the seismic hazard in any part of the continental U.S. by zip code, and the Survey has added a custom mapping feature, through which the user can specify latitude and longitude bounds and produce customized hazard maps of the selected area. Additionally, large versions (24"x36") of the national and western U.S. seismic hazard maps can be ordered using forms available from the Web site.

24 CFR Part 51 Subpart C Mitigation Training Module (Powerpoint)

Acceptable Separation Distance Tool (ASD) v1.0 

Barrier Design Guidance

Toxic Hazards

Is the property contaminated by toxic chemicals and gases or radioactive materials?

Threshold: It is HUD policy, as described in ?50.3(i), that "(1)... all property proposed for use in HUD programs be free of hazardous materials, contamination, toxic chemicals and gasses, and radioactive substances, where a hazard could affect the health and safety of occupants or conflict with the intended utilization of the property. (2) HUD environmental review of multifamily and non-residential properties shall include evaluation of previous uses of the site and other evidence of contamination on or near the site, to assure that occupants of proposed sites are not adversely affected by the hazards..." Sites known or suspected to be contaminated by toxic chemicals or radioactive materials include but are not limited to sites: (i) listed on an EPA Superfund National Priorities or CERCLA List, or equivalent State list; (ii) located within 3,000 feet of a toxic or solid waste landfill site; or (iii) with an underground storage tank.

Documentation: Grantees are to select either A_or B_ for the condition that best describes their property and document the source of the information.

1. The grantee states the property: (i) is listed on an EPA Superfund National Priorities or CERCLA list or equivalent State list; (ii) is located within 3,000 feet of a toxic or solid waste landfill site; (iii) has an underground storage tank other than a residential fuel tank, or (iv) is known or suspected to be contaminated by toxic chemicals or radioactive materials. For any of these conditions, the grantee must provide an ASTM Phase I report.



2. The grantee provides HUD with a letter of finding made by the local planning agency that the property: (i) is not listed on an EPA Superfund National Priorities or CERCLA List, or equivalent State list; (ii) is not located within 3,000 feet of a toxic or solid waste landfill site; (iii) does not have an underground storage tank (which is not a residential fuel tank); and (iv) is not known or suspected to be contaminated by toxic chemicals or radioactive materials.