{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/environmental-risks","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/environmental-risks","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"environmental-risks","term":"Environmental Risks","group":"Reading the business","definition":"These are potential liabilities from past or current environmental issues, like contaminated soil or hazardous waste. Buyers must assess these risks as they can lead to significant cleanup costs and legal problems.","what_it_means":"The SBA requires an environmental review for most business acquisitions, starting with an Environmental Questionnaire. Depending on the business type or property history, a Phase I or even a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment might be required. You need to understand these potential liabilities and ensure they are addressed, either by the seller or through specific insurance, before closing.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/environmental-risks","official_sources":[{"slug":"sop-50-10","title":"SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":2,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sop-50-10"},{"slug":"13-cfr-part-120","title":"13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans","official_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120","official_label":"View on eCFR","authority_tier":1,"publisher":"Office of the Federal Register","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/13-cfr-part-120"}],"related":[{"slug":"environmental-questionnaire","term":"Environmental Questionnaire","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/environmental-questionnaire"},{"slug":"recognized-environmental-condition","term":"Recognized Environmental Condition","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/recognized-environmental-condition"},{"slug":"phase-i-environmental-site-assessment","term":"Phase I Environmental Site Assessment","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/phase-i-environmental-site-assessment"},{"slug":"phase-ii-environmental-site-assessment","term":"Phase II Environmental Site Assessment","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/phase-ii-environmental-site-assessment"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"If a business acquisition includes real estate with known environmental risks, can it still be financed?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-a-business-acquisition-includes-real-estate-with-known-environmental-risks-can-it-still"},{"question":"What personal risks do I take with a personal guaranty on an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-personal-risks-do-i-take-with-a-personal-guaranty-on-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"What are the risks for a lender holding the unguaranteed portion of an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-risks-for-a-lender-holding-the-unguaranteed-portion-of-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"When a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) identifies a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC), what are the lender's subsequent responsibilities?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-a-phase-i-environmental-site-assessment-esa-identifies-a-recognized-environmental-con"},{"question":"If a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) identifies Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs), what are the next steps for a lender?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/if-a-phase-i-environmental-site-assessment-esa-identifies-recognized-environmental-conditi"},{"question":"When is an Environmental Questionnaire (e.g., Form 1081) sufficient for real estate collateral, without requiring a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-is-an-environmental-questionnaire-e-g-form-1081-sufficient-for-real-estate-collateral"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Environmental Risks","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/environmental-risks","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}