AARC Environmental & Safety Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: At an automotive recycling facility, used oil filters that have been hot-drained for at least 12 hours are classified as:
- Hazardous waste requiring manifested disposal
- Non-hazardous scrap metal eligible for recycling (Correct answer)
- Universal waste requiring special labeling
- Solid waste that must go to a licensed landfill
Correct answer: Non-hazardous scrap metal eligible for recycling
EPA regulations exclude hot-drained used oil filters from hazardous waste classification, allowing them to be recycled as scrap metal.
Question 2: What is the maximum allowable storage time for hazardous waste at a Small Quantity Generator (SQG) facility without a storage permit?
- 30 days
- 90 days
- 180 days (Correct answer)
- 270 days
Correct answer: 180 days
Small Quantity Generators are allowed to accumulate hazardous waste on-site for up to 180 days without a storage permit under RCRA regulations.
Question 3: Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is most critical when removing airbag inflator modules from salvage vehicles?
- Chemical-resistant gloves and apron only
- Safety glasses, cut-resistant gloves, and face shield (Correct answer)
- Respirator and hearing protection
- Steel-toed boots and hard hat
Correct answer: Safety glasses, cut-resistant gloves, and face shield
Airbag inflators contain explosive propellants and can deploy unexpectedly, requiring eye and face protection along with cut-resistant gloves.
Question 4: Under NESHAP (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants), which material in vehicle bodies must be addressed before shredding?
- Rust and surface oxides
- Fuel tank residue
- Asbestos-containing materials (Correct answer)
- Copper wiring harnesses
Correct answer: Asbestos-containing materials
NESHAP requires identification and proper removal or treatment of asbestos-containing materials in vehicles before shredding to prevent air emissions.
Question 5: What is the proper method to determine if a substance at an automotive recycling facility is a RCRA hazardous waste?
- Check if the substance smells toxic or causes skin irritation
- Determine if it is listed or exhibits a hazardous characteristic (ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, toxicity) (Correct answer)
- Weigh the material and compare to EPA weight thresholds
- Consult with the local fire department for classification
Correct answer: Determine if it is listed or exhibits a hazardous characteristic (ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, toxicity)
RCRA classifies a waste as hazardous if it appears on EPA's listed wastes or exhibits one of four characteristics: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity (TCLP).
Question 6: A recycling yard employee notices an above-ground fuel storage tank has developed a visible sheen around its base. What is the correct immediate response?
- Apply cat litter to absorb the sheen and resume normal operations
- Stop the release, contain it, notify the supervisor, and report to the appropriate regulatory agency if thresholds are exceeded (Correct answer)
- Dilute the spill with water to reduce concentration
- Move vehicles away from the area and wait for rain to disperse the material
Correct answer: Stop the release, contain it, notify the supervisor, and report to the appropriate regulatory agency if thresholds are exceeded
Spill response requires stopping the source, containing the material, documenting the event, and notifying regulators if the spill meets reportable quantity thresholds.
Question 7: What does the EPA's 'mixture rule' under RCRA mean for automotive recyclers mixing used oil with other substances?
- Used oil mixed with listed hazardous waste must be managed as hazardous waste (Correct answer)
- Any mixture containing used oil automatically becomes non-hazardous
- Mixtures of used oil and antifreeze are classified as universal waste
- The mixture rule only applies to generators producing more than 1,000 kg/month
Correct answer: Used oil mixed with listed hazardous waste must be managed as hazardous waste
The RCRA mixture rule states that mixing a listed hazardous waste with any other solid waste results in the entire mixture being classified as hazardous waste.
AARC Environmental & Safety Compliance 3
At an automotive recycling facility, used oil filters that have been hot-drained for at least 12 hours are classified as: