AARC Environmental Regulations & Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under RCRA, what is the maximum accumulation time for hazardous waste at a Large Quantity Generator (LQG) facility before it must be shipped offsite?
- 30 days
- 90 days (Correct answer)
- 180 days
- 270 days
Correct answer: 90 days
LQGs may accumulate hazardous waste on-site for up to 90 days without a storage permit under RCRA regulations.
Question 2: Which federal law governs the cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous substances and establishes the Superfund program?
- RCRA
- CERCLA (Correct answer)
- TSCA
- EPCRA
Correct answer: CERCLA
CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) created the Superfund program for cleaning up contaminated sites.
Question 3: An auto recycler discovers a transformer on a vehicle that may contain PCBs. Under TSCA regulations, PCB-containing equipment with concentrations above what level requires special handling?
- 1 ppm
- 50 ppm (Correct answer)
- 500 ppm
- 5,000 ppm
Correct answer: 50 ppm
TSCA regulates PCB-containing equipment at concentrations of 50 ppm or greater, requiring special handling and disposal procedures.
Question 4: Which section of the Clean Air Act requires auto recyclers to properly manage refrigerants to prevent their release into the atmosphere?
- Section 112
- Section 202
- Section 608 (Correct answer)
- Section 612
Correct answer: Section 608
Section 608 of the Clean Air Act prohibits the knowing venting of refrigerants and requires technician certification and proper recovery equipment.
Question 5: A recycling facility generates used oil from vehicle draining operations. Under EPA regulations, used oil that has not been mixed with listed hazardous waste is managed under:
- 40 CFR Part 261 as hazardous waste
- 40 CFR Part 279 as used oil (Correct answer)
- CERCLA Subtitle C
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910
Correct answer: 40 CFR Part 279 as used oil
Non-hazardous used oil is managed under 40 CFR Part 279, which sets standards for used oil management and recycling.
Question 6: Storm water discharges from auto recycling facilities that disturb one or more acres of land typically require coverage under which permit type?
- NPDES Construction General Permit
- NPDES Industrial General Permit (Correct answer)
- Safe Drinking Water Act permit
- RCRA permit
Correct answer: NPDES Industrial General Permit
Auto recycling operations are SIC code 5015 facilities and must obtain NPDES Industrial General Permit coverage for storm water discharges.
Question 7: Under EPA's Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule, which threshold triggers the requirement for a facility to prepare an SPCC plan?
- Total aboveground oil storage capacity exceeding 1,320 gallons (Correct answer)
- Total aboveground oil storage capacity exceeding 5,000 gallons
- Any single tank holding more than 500 gallons
- Any amount of oil stored within 100 feet of a waterway
Correct answer: Total aboveground oil storage capacity exceeding 1,320 gallons
Facilities with aggregate aboveground oil storage capacity greater than 1,320 gallons (or underground tanks greater than 42,000 gallons) must have an SPCC plan.
AARC Environmental Regulations & Compliance 2
Under RCRA, what is the maximum accumulation time for hazardous waste at a Large Quantity Generator (LQG) facility before it must be shipped offsite?