CES Waste Management and Pollution Control 3

Question 1

Which type of landfill liner system is required for new municipal solid waste landfills under 40 CFR Part 258?

Accepted Answer

Composite liner with leachate collection system

Answer

40 CFR Part 258 requires a composite liner consisting of a geomembrane overlying two feet of compacted soil plus a leachate collection and removal system.

Question 2

Under the Clean Air Act, a 'major source' of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) that triggers Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards emits at or above which threshold?

Accepted Answer

10 tons per year of any single HAP or 25 tons per year of all HAPs combined

Answer

A major source under Section 112 emits ≥10 tpy of any single HAP or ≥25 tpy of all HAPs combined, triggering MACT standards.

Question 3

Which wastewater treatment process removes dissolved phosphorus by adding metal salts such as alum or ferric chloride?

Accepted Answer

Chemical precipitation

Answer

Chemical precipitation uses coagulants like alum or ferric chloride to bind dissolved phosphorus into insoluble particles that settle out of wastewater.

Question 4

A PCB transformer that contains fluid with ≥500 ppm PCBs is classified under TSCA as a:

Accepted Answer

PCB transformer

Answer

TSCA regulations define a PCB transformer as any transformer containing fluid at concentrations ≥500 ppm PCBs, subject to stringent use, servicing, and disposal rules.

Question 5

Which solid waste management hierarchy tier is ranked highest in the EPA's preferred order of management?

Accepted Answer

Source reduction and reuse

Answer

EPA's waste management hierarchy places source reduction (waste prevention) and reuse at the top as the most preferred strategy before recycling, energy recovery, or disposal.

(CES) Certified Environmental Specialist Practice Test

(CES) Certified Environmental Specialist Practice Test

CES Waste Management and Pollution Control 3