{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/hazardous-substance","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/hazardous-substance","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":"hazardous-substance","term":"Hazardous substance","group":"Reading the business","definition":"Any material that can pose a risk to human health or the environment, such as chemicals, petroleum, or asbestos. Discovering these on a property can create significant liabilities for a buyer.","what_it_means":"During due diligence, especially in an Environmental Investigation, look for evidence of hazardous substances. Their presence can trigger expensive remediation requirements and affect the property's value or the business's operations. Understand the costs and legal obligations before closing.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/hazardous-substance","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"}],"related":[{"slug":"environmental-investigation","term":"Environmental investigation","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/environmental-investigation"},{"slug":"contamination","term":"Contamination","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/contamination"},{"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"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What additional environmental due diligence is required for a 7(a) loan if the business handles hazardous materials?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-additional-environmental-due-diligence-is-required-for-a-7-a-loan-if-the-business-han"}]},"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 — Hazardous substance","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/hazardous-substance","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}