HSE Environmental Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which regulatory term describes the formal written approval required before constructing a new major source of air pollution in an attainment area?
- Title V Operating Permit
- Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Permit (Correct answer)
- New Source Performance Standard (NSPS)
- State Implementation Plan (SIP)
Correct answer: Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Permit
PSD permits are required pre-construction for new major sources or major modifications in areas that meet NAAQS, ensuring air quality does not significantly deteriorate.
Question 2: A generator produces 150 kg of hazardous waste in one month. Under RCRA, this facility is classified as which generator category?
- Large Quantity Generator
- Small Quantity Generator (Correct answer)
- Very Small Quantity Generator
- Conditionally Exempt Generator
Correct answer: Small Quantity Generator
Under RCRA, a Small Quantity Generator (SQG) produces between 100 kg and 1,000 kg of hazardous waste per calendar month.
Question 3: The Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) is mandated by which section of EPCRA?
- Section 302
- Section 304
- Section 313 (Correct answer)
- Section 311
Correct answer: Section 313
EPCRA Section 313 requires certain facilities to report annual releases of listed toxic chemicals to the EPA's Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) program.
Question 4: Under the Clean Water Act, which term describes the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive while still meeting water quality standards?
- Best Available Technology (BAT)
- Effluent Guideline
- Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) (Correct answer)
- Technology-Based Effluent Limit
Correct answer: Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is the calculated maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can absorb while still meeting water quality standards.
Question 5: Which OSHA standard requires employers to train workers on hazardous chemicals using Safety Data Sheets and labeling?
- 29 CFR 1910.119 (PSM)
- 29 CFR 1910.1200 (HazCom) (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.132 (PPE)
- 29 CFR 1910.147 (LOTO)
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.1200 (HazCom)
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) at 29 CFR 1910.1200 requires chemical hazard training, SDS access, and GHS-compliant labeling for workers.
Question 6: An environmental audit reveals that a company voluntarily disclosed a violation to EPA before any inspection. Which federal policy may reduce or eliminate penalties?
- CERCLA Brownfields Policy
- EPA Audit Policy (Incentives for Self-Policing) (Correct answer)
- EPCRA Section 302 Exemption
- CAA Title V Grace Period
Correct answer: EPA Audit Policy (Incentives for Self-Policing)
EPA's Audit Policy (Incentives for Self-Policing) provides significant penalty reductions or eliminations for violations voluntarily discovered, disclosed, and corrected.
Question 7: The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for actions that are considered to have what quality of effects?
- Minor and localized
- Beneficial to the environment
- Significant environmental impact (Correct answer)
- Temporary and reversible
Correct answer: Significant environmental impact
NEPA requires an EIS for any major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, as determined initially through an Environmental Assessment.
HSE Environmental Compliance 3
Which regulatory term describes the formal written approval required before constructing a new major source of air pollution in an attainment area?