ETC Hazardous Waste Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a hazardous waste contingency plan at a generator facility?
- To outline waste minimization goals
- To document emergency response procedures for accidents involving hazardous waste (Correct answer)
- To track manifest records
- To schedule waste pickups
Correct answer: To document emergency response procedures for accidents involving hazardous waste
A contingency plan details the emergency response procedures to minimize hazards to human health and the environment during fires, explosions, or unplanned releases of hazardous waste.
Question 2: Which characteristic identifies a hazardous waste capable of dissolving metal containers at a pH of 2 or below or 12.5 or above?
- Ignitability
- Toxicity
- Reactivity
- Corrosivity (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Corrosivity
Corrosivity is defined by RCRA as a waste with a pH ≤2 or ≥12.5, or that corrodes steel at a rate greater than 6.35 mm per year.
Question 3: What test is used to determine if a solid waste exhibits the toxicity characteristic under RCRA?
- Total Threshold Limit Concentration (TTLC)
- Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) (Correct answer)
- Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure (SPLP)
- Extraction Procedure Toxicity Test (EP Tox)
Correct answer: Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP)
The Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) simulates leaching of contaminants into groundwater to determine if a waste is hazardous due to toxicity.
Question 4: A drum labeled with a yellow background, black propeller symbol, and the word 'RADIOACTIVE' is being stored alongside chemical waste. Which agency has primary authority over the radioactive portion?
- EPA
- OSHA
- NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) (Correct answer)
- DOT
Correct answer: NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission)
The NRC regulates radioactive materials under the Atomic Energy Act, while mixed waste containing both hazardous and radioactive components is jointly regulated by the NRC and EPA.
Question 5: Under RCRA, which type of permit is required for a facility that treats, stores, or disposes of hazardous waste for more than 90 days?
- NPDES Permit
- Air Quality Permit
- RCRA Part B Permit (Correct answer)
- Underground Injection Control Permit
Correct answer: RCRA Part B Permit
Facilities that treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste beyond accumulation time limits must obtain a RCRA Part B permit from the EPA or authorized state agency.
Question 6: Which DOT label shape and color is required for flammable liquid hazardous materials transported by road?
- White square-on-point with a skull and crossbones
- Red diamond with a flame symbol (Correct answer)
- Yellow diamond with a circle-over-lines symbol
- Orange rectangle with black text
Correct answer: Red diamond with a flame symbol
Flammable liquids require a red diamond-shaped DOT label bearing a flame symbol, indicating the fire hazard to emergency responders.
ETC Hazardous Waste Management 2
What is the primary purpose of a hazardous waste contingency plan at a generator facility?