Environmental Compliance Inspector Environmental Compliance Inspector Environmental Hazards & Risk Assessment 2

Question 1

Under CERCLA, which federal agency maintains the National Priorities List (NPL) for contaminated sites requiring long-term remediation?

Accepted Answer

U.S. EPA

Answer

The U.S. EPA administers CERCLA (Superfund) and maintains the National Priorities List of the most contaminated sites in the nation.

Question 2

During a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, what is the primary purpose of collecting subsurface soil and groundwater samples?

Accepted Answer

To confirm or deny the presence of contaminants identified as potential concerns in Phase I

Answer

Phase II ESAs involve intrusive sampling to confirm whether recognized environmental conditions from the Phase I assessment actually involve contamination.

Question 3

Which exposure pathway would an environmental compliance inspector prioritize when assessing risk at a site with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in shallow groundwater beneath an occupied building?

Accepted Answer

Vapor intrusion into indoor air

Answer

VOCs in shallow groundwater can migrate upward through the subsurface and enter buildings through cracks in foundations, making vapor intrusion the priority pathway.

Question 4

What does the term 'de minimis' risk level typically represent in an EPA human health risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

A cancer risk of 1 in 1,000,000 or less

Answer

EPA generally considers a cancer risk at or below 10⁻⁶ (one in a million) to be de minimis, meaning the risk is too small to warrant regulatory action.

Question 5

When conducting a risk assessment at a brownfield site, which receptor population typically drives the most conservative cleanup standards?

Accepted Answer

Future residential child occupants

Answer

Future residential child receptors drive the most conservative standards because children have higher exposure rates relative to body weight and longer future exposure duration.

Environmental Compliance Inspector Practice Test

Environmental Compliance Inspector Practice Test

Environmental Compliance Inspector Environmental Compliance Inspector Environmental Hazards & Risk Assessment 2