CHMM Waste Management 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under RCRA, which provision allows a state to administer its own hazardous waste program in lieu of the federal program?
- RCRA Subtitle D authorization
- State program authorization under RCRA Section 3006 (Correct answer)
- Cooperative agreement under CERCLA Section 104
- Memorandum of Understanding with EPA
Correct answer: State program authorization under RCRA Section 3006
RCRA Section 3006 allows states to receive authorization to implement their own hazardous waste programs if they are at least equivalent to and consistent with the federal RCRA program.
Question 2: What is the regulatory definition of a 'solid waste' under RCRA Subtitle C that is the starting point for hazardous waste determination?
- Only materials in solid physical state
- Any garbage, refuse, sludge, or other discarded material (Correct answer)
- Waste materials that fail a TCLP test
- Materials listed in 40 CFR Part 261 Subpart D
Correct answer: Any garbage, refuse, sludge, or other discarded material
Under RCRA, 'solid waste' is broadly defined as any garbage, refuse, sludge, or other discarded material, including liquids and gases, regardless of physical state.
Question 3: A CHMM is assessing whether a spent solvent is a listed waste. The solvent was used for degreasing. Which F-code would apply to spent non-halogenated solvents like acetone?
- F001
- F002
- F003 (Correct answer)
- F005
Correct answer: F003
F003 is the RCRA listing for spent non-halogenated solvents including acetone, ethyl acetate, ethyl benzene, ethyl ether, methyl isobutyl ketone, n-butyl alcohol, cyclohexanone, and methanol.
Question 4: Which RCRA requirement mandates that TSD facilities maintain financial assurance to cover closure and post-closure care costs?
- Contingency planning requirement
- Financial assurance mechanism under 40 CFR Part 264/265 Subpart H (Correct answer)
- CERCLA financial responsibility provision
- Emergency response fund under EPCRA
Correct answer: Financial assurance mechanism under 40 CFR Part 264/265 Subpart H
40 CFR Part 264/265 Subpart H requires TSD facilities to establish financial assurance mechanisms such as trust funds, letters of credit, or insurance to cover closure and post-closure costs.
Question 5: Under RCRA, the 'derived-from' rule states that:
- Waste derived from a characteristic waste retains its hazardous classification
- Residues derived from treating, storing, or disposing of listed hazardous waste are also listed hazardous waste (Correct answer)
- Any waste derived from recycling is excluded from RCRA
- Waste derived from industrial processes is automatically F-listed
Correct answer: Residues derived from treating, storing, or disposing of listed hazardous waste are also listed hazardous waste
The derived-from rule specifies that any solid waste generated from the treatment, storage, or disposal of a listed hazardous waste is also a listed hazardous waste.
Question 6: Which of the following wastes is eligible for the used oil fuel exemption under RCRA, allowing burning for energy recovery?
- Used oil mixed with F001 spent solvents
- Used oil that has not been mixed with listed hazardous waste and meets specification (Correct answer)
- Used oil from a commercial motor vehicle containing PCBs above 50 ppm
- Used oil that fails the ignitability characteristic test
Correct answer: Used oil that has not been mixed with listed hazardous waste and meets specification
Used oil that meets the used oil fuel specification under 40 CFR 279.11 and has not been mixed with listed hazardous waste may be burned for energy recovery without being classified as a hazardous waste.
Question 7: A CHMM must ensure waste containers in a RCRA storage area bear which label at minimum?
- The chemical name only
- The words 'Hazardous Waste' and the waste's hazards (Correct answer)
- DOT shipping name and UN number
- OSHA GHS pictograms and signal word
Correct answer: The words 'Hazardous Waste' and the waste's hazards
RCRA requires that all containers of hazardous waste be clearly labeled with the words 'Hazardous Waste' and words describing the hazards of the contents such as 'flammable' or 'corrosive'.
CHMM Waste Management 5
Under RCRA, which provision allows a state to administer its own hazardous waste program in lieu of the federal program?