CAR Fluid & Hazardous Waste Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A spill of used motor oil reaches a storm drain. What is the FIRST action an automotive recycler should take?
- Call the EPA for guidance
- Contain the spill and prevent further flow (Correct answer)
- Document the spill in the facility log
- Notify the local fire department
Correct answer: Contain the spill and prevent further flow
The immediate priority in any spill is containment to prevent the material from spreading or reaching waterways.
Question 2: Which federal law primarily governs the reporting of oil spills to navigable waters from automotive recycling operations?
- RCRA
- TSCA
- Clean Water Act (CWA) (Correct answer)
- CERCLA
Correct answer: Clean Water Act (CWA)
The Clean Water Act prohibits discharge of oil into navigable waters and requires spill reporting under its Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) provisions.
Question 3: What does a Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest document?
- Facility inspection results
- Chain of custody for hazardous waste from generator to disposal (Correct answer)
- Employee training records for hazardous material handling
- Annual hazardous waste generation totals
Correct answer: Chain of custody for hazardous waste from generator to disposal
The Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest tracks hazardous waste from the point of generation through transportation to final treatment or disposal.
Question 4: Spent brake fluid from end-of-life vehicles is best managed by:
- Pouring it down a municipal drain
- Mixing it with used oil for co-processing
- Sending it to a licensed used fluid recycler or disposal facility (Correct answer)
- Evaporating it in an open container
Correct answer: Sending it to a licensed used fluid recycler or disposal facility
Spent brake fluid should be collected separately and sent to a licensed recycler or disposal facility, as it may contain hazardous components.
Question 5: In the context of SPCC plans, which automotive recyclers are typically required to prepare and implement one?
- All recyclers regardless of oil storage capacity
- Facilities storing more than 1,320 gallons of oil in aboveground containers (Correct answer)
- Only facilities with underground storage tanks
- Recyclers processing more than 500 vehicles per year
Correct answer: Facilities storing more than 1,320 gallons of oil in aboveground containers
SPCC rules generally apply to facilities with aboveground oil storage capacity exceeding 1,320 gallons in aggregate.
Question 6: Which of the following solvents used for parts cleaning is most commonly regulated as a listed hazardous waste (F-list)?
- Mineral spirits (low flash point)
- Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) (Correct answer)
- Water-based degreaser
- Citrus-based cleaner
Correct answer: Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)
Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) is an F-listed solvent under RCRA; spent PCE and PCE-contaminated materials must be managed as hazardous waste.
Question 7: What color label is required on containers of used oil at an automotive recycling facility?
- Red label reading 'Flammable'
- Yellow label reading 'Caution'
- Label reading 'Used Oil' (Correct answer)
- No label is required if stored in original containers
Correct answer: Label reading 'Used Oil'
EPA used oil regulations require that containers and tanks used to store used oil be labeled or marked clearly with the words 'Used Oil.'
CAR Fluid & Hazardous Waste Management 3
A spill of used motor oil reaches a storm drain.
What is the FIRST action an automotive recycler should take?