Environmental Safety and Protection Flashcards
7 cards from real CPA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Environmental Safety and Protection flashcards as text
Which pesticide characteristic most strongly predicts its potential to leach into groundwater?
Answer: High persistence combined with high water solubility
Pesticides that are both persistent (resist breakdown) and highly water-soluble are most likely to move through soil and reach groundwater.
A pesticide label states 'Do not apply within 50 feet of any body of water.' This buffer zone requirement is primarily intended to protect against:
Answer: Runoff and spray drift reaching aquatic ecosystems
Buffer zones near water bodies protect aquatic organisms from pesticide runoff and spray drift that can contaminate surface water.
Which of the following is an example of secondary poisoning from pesticide use?
Answer: A hawk dies after eating rodents that consumed rodenticide bait
Secondary (or relay) poisoning occurs when a predator or scavenger is harmed by consuming prey that has accumulated pesticide residues.
The EPA's Endangered Species Protection Program restricts pesticide use in certain areas to protect listed species. Applicators can find which areas are restricted by consulting:
Answer: EPA Bulletins Live! Two, a web-based system
EPA Bulletins Live! Two provides county-level maps and bulletins identifying where pesticide use restrictions apply to protect endangered species.
When is pesticide runoff into surface water most likely to occur?
Answer: Shortly after application during heavy rainfall on saturated or compacted soils
Heavy rainfall shortly after application combined with saturated or impervious soils prevents infiltration and promotes surface water runoff carrying pesticide residues.
Which practice best reduces the risk of pesticides entering storm drains from equipment washing?
Answer: Rinse equipment in the field or over a vegetated area away from drains
Rinsing equipment in the field or over vegetated areas allows soil and plants to capture and degrade residues before they reach surface water drains.
Which factor most increases the risk of pesticide volatilization causing off-target environmental contamination?
Answer: High temperatures and low humidity
High temperatures increase vapor pressure of pesticides and low humidity promotes evaporation, both of which increase volatilization into the air.