CAR Inspection & Quality Control 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CAR facility receives 50 refrigerators in one shipment. What sampling approach is acceptable for refrigerant verification if full testing is not feasible?
- Test none, as all units from one source are identical
- Apply a statistically representative sampling plan with documentation (Correct answer)
- Test only the first and last unit in the shipment
- Test only units that appear damaged externally
Correct answer: Apply a statistically representative sampling plan with documentation
CAR protocols allow statistically representative sampling plans, but all results must be documented to demonstrate due diligence.
Question 2: Which instrument is used to verify that refrigerant has been fully recovered from an appliance before shredding?
- Thermocouple gauge
- Electronic refrigerant leak detector or system pressure gauge (Correct answer)
- Ammeter
- Vibration analyzer
Correct answer: Electronic refrigerant leak detector or system pressure gauge
A refrigerant leak detector or pressure gauge confirms the system has been evacuated to the required low-pressure threshold before mechanical destruction.
Question 3: What does a 'manifest' document serve in the context of appliance recycling quality control?
- It lists the aesthetic defects of each unit
- It tracks the chain of custody and material flow from receipt to final disposition (Correct answer)
- It records the employee handling each appliance
- It documents customer complaints about appliance brands
Correct answer: It tracks the chain of custody and material flow from receipt to final disposition
A manifest provides a chain-of-custody record ensuring all materials, especially hazardous ones, are tracked from intake to final recycling or disposal.
Question 4: A quality inspector finds mercury-containing switches in a range being processed. What is the correct disposition?
- Leave them in place; they are too small to matter
- Remove and consolidate them for mercury recycling through a certified mercury reclaimer (Correct answer)
- Dispose of them in the general trash
- Crush them with the rest of the appliance to dilute mercury content
Correct answer: Remove and consolidate them for mercury recycling through a certified mercury reclaimer
Mercury switches must be removed and sent to a certified mercury reclaimer under EPA Universal Waste rules to prevent environmental contamination.
Question 5: A refrigerator is delivered that still contains food residue and mold. Before QC inspection proceeds, what should happen?
- Skip QC and send it directly to shredding
- Clean the unit in a designated wash area with proper PPE (Correct answer)
- Return it to the donor immediately
- Spray it with bleach and continue normal inspection
Correct answer: Clean the unit in a designated wash area with proper PPE
Biohazardous residue must be cleaned in a designated area with appropriate PPE before standard QC inspection to protect worker health.
Question 6: During QC, an inspector finds that a dryer's drum still contains clothing. What is the most appropriate first step?
- Shred immediately with contents inside
- Remove and properly dispose of or donate the clothing before processing (Correct answer)
- Tag the unit as rejected
- Log the contents and continue without removal
Correct answer: Remove and properly dispose of or donate the clothing before processing
Non-appliance materials must be removed before recycling to prevent contamination of material streams and ensure accurate weight reporting.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a 'hold tag' in a recycling facility's quality control process?
- It indicates an appliance has been fully processed
- It flags a unit that requires additional inspection or resolution before further processing (Correct answer)
- It certifies that an appliance contains no hazardous materials
- It marks units designated for resale
Correct answer: It flags a unit that requires additional inspection or resolution before further processing
A hold tag is a quality control tool that temporarily stops processing on a unit until a specific issue is investigated and resolved.
CAR Inspection & Quality Control 3
A CAR facility receives 50 refrigerators in one shipment.
What sampling approach is acceptable for refrigerant verification if full testing is not feasible?