CEM Environmental Auditing & Site Assessment Flashcards
6 cards from real CEM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CEM Environmental Auditing & Site Assessment flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)?
Answer: To identify recognized environmental conditions (RECs) through records review and site inspection
A Phase I ESA identifies Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) through historical records review, regulatory database searches, and a non-invasive site inspection without sampling.
Under ASTM E1527-21, which of the following is NOT a standard component of a Phase I ESA?
Answer: Collection of soil samples for chemical analysis
ASTM E1527-21 defines Phase I ESAs as non-invasive assessments; soil sampling is a Phase II activity triggered when RECs are identified.
An environmental audit that verifies whether a facility's operations comply with applicable laws and regulations is called a:
Answer: Compliance audit
A compliance audit specifically evaluates whether a facility's practices, records, and operations conform to applicable environmental laws, permits, and regulations.
Which document serves as the primary guide for conducting environmental management system (EMS) audits?
Answer: ISO 19011
ISO 19011 provides guidelines for auditing management systems, including environmental management systems, covering audit principles, managing audit programs, and auditor competence.
During a site assessment, a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC) is best described as:
Answer: The presence or likely presence of hazardous substances under conditions that indicate an existing or past release
A REC indicates the presence or likely presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products due to a release, threatened release, or material threat of a release to the environment.
Which phase of an environmental site assessment involves soil borings, groundwater monitoring wells, and laboratory analysis?
Answer: Phase II ESA
Phase II ESAs involve intrusive investigation techniques such as soil borings and groundwater sampling to confirm or characterize contamination identified during Phase I.