AARC Hazardous Fluid & Material Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which refrigerant recovery standard requires certified technicians and approved equipment when servicing automotive A/C systems?
- EPA Section 608
- EPA Section 609 (Correct answer)
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119
- SAE J1742
Correct answer: EPA Section 609
EPA Section 609 of the Clean Air Act specifically regulates refrigerant handling in mobile air conditioning systems and requires technician certification.
Question 2: A Small Quantity Generator (SQG) of hazardous waste must begin off-site shipment within how many days of the accumulation start date?
- 90 days
- 270 days (Correct answer)
- 180 days
- 365 days
Correct answer: 270 days
SQGs (generating 100–1,000 kg/month) are allowed up to 270 days of on-site accumulation before mandatory off-site shipment under 40 CFR Part 262.
Question 3: What is the primary environmental concern with allowing power steering fluid to enter the storm drain system?
- It raises the pH of receiving waters above safe levels
- It contains petroleum hydrocarbons that can harm aquatic life and violate Clean Water Act limits (Correct answer)
- It causes the storm drain concrete to corrode rapidly
- It produces toxic fumes in the sewer system
Correct answer: It contains petroleum hydrocarbons that can harm aquatic life and violate Clean Water Act limits
Power steering fluid is petroleum-based; its discharge to storm drains introduces hydrocarbons into waterways, harming aquatic ecosystems and violating NPDES permits.
Question 4: Which type of fire extinguisher is recommended for a Class B fire involving spilled automotive fluids such as gasoline or brake fluid?
- Class A water extinguisher
- Class C CO₂ extinguisher only
- Class B dry chemical or CO₂ extinguisher (Correct answer)
- Class D dry powder extinguisher
Correct answer: Class B dry chemical or CO₂ extinguisher
Class B extinguishers (dry chemical or CO₂) are designed for flammable liquid fires; water extinguishers can spread burning liquids and worsen the fire.
Question 5: Under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, which automotive recycling scenario most likely requires compliance measures?
- Draining engine oil from a vehicle
- Handling a vehicle involved in a serious accident with visible blood contamination (Correct answer)
- Removing lead-acid batteries
- Recovering refrigerant from the A/C system
Correct answer: Handling a vehicle involved in a serious accident with visible blood contamination
Vehicles from accidents may have bloodborne pathogen exposure risk; OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 requires exposure control plans, PPE, and training for such scenarios.
Question 6: When labeling a satellite accumulation container for used oil, which information is required by EPA regulations?
- The EPA ID number of the generator and the date filled
- The words 'Used Oil' on the container (Correct answer)
- The flash point, specific gravity, and viscosity of the oil
- A DOT hazardous materials placard
Correct answer: The words 'Used Oil' on the container
EPA's used oil management standards at 40 CFR 279.22 require storage containers to be labeled 'Used Oil'—no additional information is mandated for on-site storage.
Question 7: What is the purpose of a secondary containment system around fluid storage tanks at an auto recycler?
- To prevent unauthorized access to the storage area
- To capture spills or leaks before they reach soil or surface water (Correct answer)
- To maintain fluid temperature within safe operating ranges
- To satisfy building code requirements for structural support
Correct answer: To capture spills or leaks before they reach soil or surface water
Secondary containment systems—such as berms or double-walled tanks—are required to capture released fluids and prevent environmental contamination.
AARC Hazardous Fluid & Material Management 3
Which refrigerant recovery standard requires certified technicians and approved equipment when servicing automotive A/C systems?