CRE Environmental Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under RCRA, which category of hazardous waste generator is subject to the most stringent regulatory requirements?
- Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG)
- Small Quantity Generator (SQG)
- Large Quantity Generator (LQG) (Correct answer)
- Conditionally Exempt Generator (CEG)
Correct answer: Large Quantity Generator (LQG)
Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) generating ≥1,000 kg/month of hazardous waste face the strictest RCRA requirements including 90-day storage limits and detailed training mandates.
Question 2: A reliability engineer discovers that a manufacturing process releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) above permitted levels. Which regulation most directly governs this air emission?
- Clean Water Act (CWA)
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
- Clean Air Act (CAA) (Correct answer)
- Comprehensive Environmental Response Act (CERCLA)
Correct answer: Clean Air Act (CAA)
The Clean Air Act (CAA) regulates air pollutants including VOCs, and facilities must comply with National Ambient Air Quality Standards and applicable emission limits.
Question 3: Which environmental management system standard provides a framework for identifying and controlling environmental aspects of operations?
- ISO 9001
- ISO 14001 (Correct answer)
- OSHA 1910
- AS9100
Correct answer: ISO 14001
ISO 14001 specifies requirements for an environmental management system (EMS) that enables organizations to identify, manage, and improve their environmental performance.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) in an environmental compliance program?
- Documenting equipment maintenance schedules
- Communicating hazard information for chemical substances (Correct answer)
- Recording production output quantities
- Tracking employee training completions
Correct answer: Communicating hazard information for chemical substances
SDS (formerly MSDS) documents provide detailed hazard, handling, storage, and emergency response information for chemical substances to protect workers and the environment.
Question 5: A facility's stormwater discharge contains elevated levels of heavy metals. Which permit type under the Clean Water Act would typically regulate this discharge?
- Title V Operating Permit
- NPDES Permit (Correct answer)
- RCRA Part B Permit
- TSCA Section 5 Notice
Correct answer: NPDES Permit
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits under the Clean Water Act regulate stormwater and other point source discharges to surface waters.
Question 6: When applying a lifecycle assessment (LCA) to a product, the 'cradle-to-grave' approach encompasses which scope?
- Raw material extraction through end-of-life disposal (Correct answer)
- Manufacturing process inputs only
- Product use phase only
- Distribution and retail phases only
Correct answer: Raw material extraction through end-of-life disposal
A cradle-to-grave LCA evaluates environmental impacts from raw material extraction through manufacturing, distribution, use, and final disposal of a product.
Question 7: Which concept in environmental compliance refers to controlling pollution at its origin rather than treating it after it is generated?
- End-of-pipe treatment
- Pollution prevention (P2) (Correct answer)
- Remediation
- Containment
Correct answer: Pollution prevention (P2)
Pollution prevention (P2), also called source reduction, focuses on eliminating or reducing the generation of pollutants at the source rather than managing waste after it is created.
CRE Environmental Compliance 2
Under RCRA, which category of hazardous waste generator is subject to the most stringent regulatory requirements?