CPA Environmental Safety and Protection 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which pesticide characteristic most strongly predicts its potential to leach into groundwater?
- High soil adsorption (Koc)
- Low water solubility
- High persistence combined with high water solubility (Correct answer)
- Strong volatility
Correct answer: High persistence combined with high water solubility
Pesticides that are both persistent (resist breakdown) and highly water-soluble are most likely to move through soil and reach groundwater.
Question 2: A pesticide label states 'Do not apply within 50 feet of any body of water.' This buffer zone requirement is primarily intended to protect against:
- Drift onto neighboring crops
- Runoff and spray drift reaching aquatic ecosystems (Correct answer)
- Worker re-entry safety
- Groundwater contamination only
Correct answer: Runoff and spray drift reaching aquatic ecosystems
Buffer zones near water bodies protect aquatic organisms from pesticide runoff and spray drift that can contaminate surface water.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of secondary poisoning from pesticide use?
- A bird drinks from a puddle containing a pesticide
- A hawk dies after eating rodents that consumed rodenticide bait (Correct answer)
- A fish is killed by runoff from a treated field
- A worker is poisoned after handling concentrate without gloves
Correct answer: A hawk dies after eating rodents that consumed rodenticide bait
Secondary (or relay) poisoning occurs when a predator or scavenger is harmed by consuming prey that has accumulated pesticide residues.
Question 4: The EPA's Endangered Species Protection Program restricts pesticide use in certain areas to protect listed species. Applicators can find which areas are restricted by consulting:
- The county extension office bulletin board
- EPA Bulletins Live! Two, a web-based system (Correct answer)
- The USDA crop insurance records
- State department of agriculture weekly newsletters
Correct answer: EPA Bulletins Live! Two, a web-based system
EPA Bulletins Live! Two provides county-level maps and bulletins identifying where pesticide use restrictions apply to protect endangered species.
Question 5: When is pesticide runoff into surface water most likely to occur?
- During a drought when soils are hardened and cracked
- Shortly after application during heavy rainfall on saturated or compacted soils (Correct answer)
- Only when pesticides are applied directly to water
- During the night when temperatures are cool
Correct answer: Shortly after application during heavy rainfall on saturated or compacted soils
Heavy rainfall shortly after application combined with saturated or impervious soils prevents infiltration and promotes surface water runoff carrying pesticide residues.
Question 6: Which practice best reduces the risk of pesticides entering storm drains from equipment washing?
- Wash equipment over a concrete pad that drains to the storm sewer
- Rinse equipment in the field or over a vegetated area away from drains (Correct answer)
- Use only water without detergent to rinse equipment
- Wash equipment only on windy days to allow evaporation
Correct answer: Rinse equipment in the field or over a vegetated area away from drains
Rinsing equipment in the field or over vegetated areas allows soil and plants to capture and degrade residues before they reach surface water drains.
Question 7: Which factor most increases the risk of pesticide volatilization causing off-target environmental contamination?
- Cool temperatures and high humidity
- High temperatures and low humidity (Correct answer)
- Overcast skies and moderate wind
- Early morning application with dew present
Correct answer: High temperatures and low humidity
High temperatures increase vapor pressure of pesticides and low humidity promotes evaporation, both of which increase volatilization into the air.
CPA Environmental Safety and Protection 2
Which pesticide characteristic most strongly predicts its potential to leach into groundwater?