CHMM Disposition of Hazardous Materials 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of the National Priorities List (NPL) under CERCLA?
- To rank TSD facilities for RCRA permit renewal
- To identify sites eligible for long-term remedial response using the Hazard Ranking System (Correct answer)
- To list hazardous waste generators by volume
- To prioritize LDR treatment standards for new wastes
Correct answer: To identify sites eligible for long-term remedial response using the Hazard Ranking System
The NPL identifies sites eligible for CERCLA-funded long-term remedial action based on Hazard Ranking System scores reflecting risk to human health and environment.
Question 2: A company exports hazardous waste to a foreign country for recovery. Under RCRA, which U.S. notification requirement applies?
- No notification is required if the receiving country's laws permit it
- The exporter must notify EPA and receive written consent from the receiving country before export (Correct answer)
- Only DOT placarding requirements apply to export shipments
- The exporter must obtain a RCRA permit amendment
Correct answer: The exporter must notify EPA and receive written consent from the receiving country before export
RCRA Section 3017 and 40 CFR Part 262 Subpart H require exporters to notify EPA and receive written consent from the receiving country prior to export.
Question 3: Which CERCLA remedy selection criterion requires that the chosen remedy comply with applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs)?
- Toxicity reduction
- Long-term effectiveness and permanence
- Compliance with ARARs (Correct answer)
- Overall protection of human health and environment
Correct answer: Compliance with ARARs
One of CERCLA's nine remedy evaluation criteria specifically requires that remedies comply with or obtain waivers from applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements.
Question 4: Under DOT 49 CFR, which hazardous materials quantity threshold triggers the requirement to use a certified hazmat employee for packaging, offering for transport, or transporting hazardous waste?
- Any quantity of a material designated as hazardous by DOT (Correct answer)
- Only quantities exceeding the reportable quantity (RQ)
- Only bulk quantities exceeding 119 gallons
- Only when the material is a select agent or toxin
Correct answer: Any quantity of a material designated as hazardous by DOT
DOT requires that any person who handles, offers for transport, or transports hazardous materials in any quantity must be a trained and certified hazmat employee per 49 CFR 172.700.
Question 5: A facility generates F003 listed hazardous waste (spent non-halogenated solvents). The waste is treated to non-detect levels for all listed constituents. It must still be managed as listed hazardous waste unless:
- The generator certifies treatment was effective
- The facility obtains a delisting from EPA or an authorized state (Correct answer)
- The waste is diluted below characteristic thresholds
- The facility has a RCRA Part B permit authorizing the determination
Correct answer: The facility obtains a delisting from EPA or an authorized state
Listed hazardous waste retains its listed status unless EPA or an authorized state grants a delisting petition for that specific waste from that specific facility.
Question 6: Which RCRA financial assurance mechanism involves a facility owner depositing funds into an IRS-qualified trust fund to cover closure and post-closure costs?
- Letter of credit
- Closure trust fund (Correct answer)
- Corporate guarantee
- Surety bond
Correct answer: Closure trust fund
A closure trust fund under 40 CFR 264.143 requires the owner/operator to make annual payments into a trust fund sufficient to cover estimated closure costs over the life of the facility.
Question 7: When selecting a treatment method for a hazardous waste under RCRA LDRs, EPA's preferred hierarchy of management options places what approach at the highest preference level?
- Landfill disposal with liner systems
- Incineration at permitted hazardous waste incinerators
- Treatment to destroy or reduce toxicity and mobility of hazardous constituents (Correct answer)
- Deep well injection below USDW
Correct answer: Treatment to destroy or reduce toxicity and mobility of hazardous constituents
RCRA's waste management hierarchy and LDR framework prioritize treatment that destroys or reduces the toxicity, mobility, or volume of hazardous constituents over land disposal.
CHMM Disposition of Hazardous Materials 5
What is the primary purpose of the National Priorities List (NPL) under CERCLA?