ASP Environmental Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan?
- To manage employee health records
- To prevent oil discharges into navigable waters (Correct answer)
- To track workplace violence incidents
- To monitor noise exposure levels
Correct answer: To prevent oil discharges into navigable waters
SPCC plans are required under the Clean Water Act to prevent oil spills from reaching navigable waters and shorelines.
The SPCC rule, found in 40 CFR Part 112, requires facilities that store, process, or handle oil to prepare and implement SPCC plans to prevent spills from reaching navigable waters.
Question 2: Under RCRA, which characteristic does NOT classify a solid waste as hazardous?
- Ignitability
- Corrosivity
- Biodegradability (Correct answer)
- Reactivity
Correct answer: Biodegradability
RCRA identifies four hazardous waste characteristics: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity. Biodegradability is not one of them.
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act defines hazardous waste through four characteristics: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity. Biodegradability refers to a material's ability to decompose naturally and is not a hazard indicator.
Question 3: What does the term 'cradle-to-grave' mean in hazardous waste management?
- Tracking waste from generation through final disposal (Correct answer)
- Managing employee health from hiring to retirement
- Monitoring equipment from purchase to decommissioning
- Following a product from manufacturing to consumer use
Correct answer: Tracking waste from generation through final disposal
Cradle-to-grave tracking means managing hazardous waste from the point of generation through transportation, treatment, storage, and final disposal.
The cradle-to-grave system under RCRA establishes a chain of custody for hazardous waste using the Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest, ensuring accountability at every stage.
Question 4: Which federal law established the Superfund program for cleaning up contaminated sites?
- Clean Air Act
- CERCLA (Correct answer)
- OSHA Act
- TSCA
Correct answer: CERCLA
CERCLA established the Superfund program for remediating contaminated sites.
CERCLA, commonly known as Superfund, was enacted in 1980. It established a trust fund for cleaning up uncontrolled hazardous waste sites and authorized EPA to compel responsible parties to clean up or reimburse costs.
Question 5: What is the purpose of an Environmental Management System (EMS) based on ISO 14001?
- To eliminate all environmental impacts completely
- To provide a framework for managing environmental responsibilities systematically (Correct answer)
- To replace all government environmental regulations
- To guarantee zero waste production
Correct answer: To provide a framework for managing environmental responsibilities systematically
ISO 14001 provides a framework for organizations to systematically manage their environmental responsibilities through continuous improvement.
ISO 14001 specifies requirements for an effective EMS following a Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. It does not set specific performance criteria but requires commitment to compliance and continuous improvement.
Question 6: Which type of environmental permit is required before discharging pollutants into waters of the United States?
- RCRA permit
- NPDES permit (Correct answer)
- Title V permit
- PSD permit
Correct answer: NPDES permit
The NPDES permit is required under the Clean Water Act for point source discharges into waters of the United States.
The NPDES permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants. NPDES permits contain discharge limits, monitoring requirements, and reporting obligations specific to each facility.
ASP Environmental Management 2
What is the primary purpose of a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan?