CEM Air Quality Management & Monitoring

Question 1

What is the primary federal law governing air quality and air emissions in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Clean Air Act (CAA)

Answer

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

Answer

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)

Answer

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

Question 2

Which agency establishes the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for criteria air pollutants?

Accepted Answer

U.S. EPA under the Clean Air Act

Answer

State Environmental Protection Agencies

Answer

OSHA under the Occupational Safety and Health Act

Answer

Department of Energy

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT one of the six criteria air pollutants regulated under NAAQS?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)

Answer

Carbon monoxide (CO)

Answer

Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)

Answer

Particulate matter (PM2.5)

Question 4

Under the Clean Air Act, a stationary source emitting 100 tons per year or more of a regulated pollutant is classified as a:

Accepted Answer

Major source

Answer

Minor source

Answer

Area source

Answer

De minimis source

Question 5

Which permit program applies to new or modified major sources located in areas that do not meet NAAQS (nonattainment areas)?

Accepted Answer

New Source Review – Nonattainment (NSR)

Answer

Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)

Answer

Title V Operating Permit Program

Answer

State Implementation Plan (SIP) exemption

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of a Title V operating permit under the Clean Air Act?

Accepted Answer

To consolidate all applicable Clean Air Act requirements into one comprehensive permit for major sources

Answer

To establish emission limits for new construction only

Answer

To regulate mobile source emissions nationally

Answer

To set region-specific air quality standards above NAAQS

Question 7

Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits are required for major new or modified sources in areas that:

Accepted Answer

Meet or are cleaner than NAAQS (attainment or unclassifiable areas)

Answer

Exceed NAAQS for at least one pollutant

Answer

Have no existing permitted emission sources

Answer

Are classified as nonattainment for ozone only