NEHA Solid Waste Management 3

Question 1

Which solid waste material poses a risk of puncture injury and is classified as a special waste requiring specific management?

Accepted Answer

Medical sharps (needles, lancets)

Answer

Medical sharps such as needles and lancets are classified as special wastes due to their risk of puncture injury and potential for disease transmission.

Question 2

What environmental health concern is associated with open dumping of solid waste?

Accepted Answer

Vector breeding, groundwater contamination, and fire hazards

Answer

Open dumps create numerous environmental health hazards including vector breeding sites (rodents, insects), leachate contamination of groundwater, methane fire risks, and air pollution.

Question 3

Under RCRA, what distinguishes hazardous waste from solid waste?

Accepted Answer

Hazardous waste poses a substantial threat to human health or the environment due to ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity

Answer

RCRA defines hazardous waste as solid waste that poses a substantial present or potential hazard due to its quantity, concentration, or characteristics of ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity.

Question 4

What is the purpose of a transfer station in a solid waste management system?

Accepted Answer

To consolidate waste from collection vehicles for more efficient long-distance transport to disposal facilities

Answer

Transfer stations receive waste from collection vehicles and consolidate it into larger transport vehicles, reducing transportation costs for long-distance hauls to landfills or processing facilities.

Question 5

What is composting as a solid waste management strategy?

Accepted Answer

Biological decomposition of organic materials into a stable humus-like product

Answer

Composting is a controlled biological process that decomposes organic materials such as food scraps and yard waste into a stable, nutrient-rich product that can be used as a soil amendment.

NEHA - National Environmental Health Association Practice Test

NEHA - National Environmental Health Association Practice Test

NEHA Solid Waste Management 3