CPC CPC Environmental Chemistry & Regulations

Question 1

Under RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act), a waste is classified as hazardous if it exhibits which characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity

Answer

High viscosity

Answer

Strong odor

Answer

High molecular weight

Question 2

Which US federal agency is primarily responsible for regulating chemical substances under TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act)?

Accepted Answer

EPA

Answer

FDA

Answer

OSHA

Answer

CDC

Question 3

The concept of bioaccumulation refers to the process by which:

Accepted Answer

Concentrations of substances increase within an organism over time

Answer

Chemicals degrade rapidly in living tissue

Answer

Bacteria decompose organic pollutants

Answer

Chemicals are excreted efficiently by aquatic organisms

Question 4

In the US Clean Air Act, a National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) is set for which pollutant?

Accepted Answer

Particulate matter (PM2.5)

Answer

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Answer

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Answer

Dioxins

Question 5

Which process describes the movement of contaminants from soil into groundwater?

Accepted Answer

Leaching

Answer

Volatilization

Answer

Photodegradation

Answer

Adsorption

Question 6

The octanol-water partition coefficient (Kow) is used to predict a chemical's tendency to:

Accepted Answer

Bioaccumulate in fatty tissues and partition into organic matter

Answer

React with metals in soil

Answer

Volatilize from water surfaces

Answer

Undergo photolysis in sunlight