FREE Environmental Compliance Inspector Air Quality Compliance Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following establishes the primary mechanism through which states develop and implement plans to meet and maintain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)?

Accepted Answer

State Implementation Plans (SIPs)

Answer

New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)

Answer

Title V Operating Permit Program

Answer

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)

Question 2

An inspector is reviewing the records of a large power plant, which is classified as a "major source" under the Clean Air Act. The inspector is looking for a single, comprehensive document that consolidates all of the facility's applicable air quality requirements. Which document should the inspector request?

Accepted Answer

The facility's Title V Operating Permit

Answer

A Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit

Answer

The facility's annual emissions inventory report

Answer

A New Source Review (NSR) construction permit

Question 3

Which of the following pollutants is regulated as a Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) under the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) program?

Accepted Answer

Benzene

Answer

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

Answer

Particulate Matter (PM2.5)

Answer

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Question 4

A new chemical manufacturing plant is proposed for construction in an area that currently meets all National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The plant's projected emissions of sulfur dioxide are above the major source threshold. Which Clean Air Act pre-construction permitting program is specifically designed to ensure that this new source does not cause a significant deterioration of the area's clean air?

Accepted Answer

Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)

Answer

Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR)

Answer

Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT)

Answer

Risk Management Plan (RMP)

Question 5

An environmental inspector is conducting a Method 9 visual emissions observation for opacity at a facility's smokestack. The permit limit for this source is 20% opacity. What does a 20% opacity reading indicate?

Accepted Answer

The emissions are obscuring the background view by 20%.

Answer

20% of the emissions are composed of particulate matter.

Answer

The velocity of the emissions is 20% of the maximum allowed rate.

Answer

The emissions contain 20 parts per million of visible pollutants.

Question 6

An inspector is verifying a facility's compliance with the Chemical Accident Prevention Provisions under Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act. Which of the following is the primary objective of this program?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the accidental release of extremely hazardous substances and minimize the consequences of such releases.

Answer

To regulate the gradual, long-term release of hazardous air pollutants.

Answer

To establish national standards for ambient air quality for common pollutants.

Answer

To require emissions offsets for new sources in nonattainment areas.