CPWM Waste Characterization and Classification 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under RCRA, which characteristic makes a solid waste a hazardous waste due to its ability to cause fire during routine waste management?
- Toxicity
- Corrosivity
- Ignitability (Correct answer)
- Reactivity
Correct answer: Ignitability
Ignitability is defined under 40 CFR 261.21 and includes liquids with flash points below 60°C, non-liquids that can catch fire, and oxidizers.
Question 2: A waste stream has a pH of 2.5. Under RCRA, this waste would be classified as hazardous due to which characteristic?
- Ignitability
- Corrosivity (Correct answer)
- Reactivity
- Toxicity
Correct answer: Corrosivity
Corrosivity applies to aqueous wastes with pH ≤ 2 or ≥ 12.5, or liquids that corrode steel at a specified rate, per 40 CFR 261.22.
Question 3: Which EPA waste code series (F-codes) applies to non-specific source hazardous wastes from common industrial processes?
- P-list wastes
- U-list wastes
- F-list wastes (Correct answer)
- K-list wastes
Correct answer: F-list wastes
F-list wastes (40 CFR 261.31) are hazardous wastes from non-specific sources such as solvent use and electroplating operations.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) test?
- Measure the total metal content in a waste
- Simulate leaching of contaminants into groundwater from a landfill (Correct answer)
- Determine the flash point of liquid wastes
- Assess biological oxygen demand of liquid waste
Correct answer: Simulate leaching of contaminants into groundwater from a landfill
TCLP simulates acidic leachate conditions in a co-disposal landfill to evaluate whether contaminants could migrate to groundwater.
Question 5: Which of the following is a P-listed (acutely hazardous) waste under RCRA?
- Spent halogenated solvents (F001)
- Potassium cyanide when discarded (Correct answer)
- Chromium electroplating sludge (K002)
- Benzene-containing still bottoms (F005)
Correct answer: Potassium cyanide when discarded
P-listed wastes are discarded commercial chemical products that are acutely toxic; potassium cyanide (P098) is one example listed at 40 CFR 261.33(e).
Question 6: A generator produces 150 kg of hazardous waste in a calendar month. Which generator category does this facility fall under?
- Large Quantity Generator (LQG)
- Small Quantity Generator (SQG)
- Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) (Correct answer)
- Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator
Correct answer: Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG)
Facilities generating 100 kg or less per month (up to 1 kg for acutely hazardous waste) are VsQGs under 40 CFR 262 Subpart L; 150 kg/month places the generator in the SQG category.
Question 7: In waste characterization, what does the term 'Derived-From Rule' specify?
- Residuals from treating hazardous waste remain hazardous unless delisted (Correct answer)
- Wastes derived from recycling are always exempt from RCRA
- Mixed wastes must be classified as radioactive first
- Co-mingled solid waste automatically becomes hazardous
Correct answer: Residuals from treating hazardous waste remain hazardous unless delisted
The Derived-From Rule states that residuals (ash, sludge, leachate) generated from treating, storing, or disposing of listed hazardous waste are still listed hazardous wastes unless formally delisted.
CPWM Waste Characterization and Classification 2
Under RCRA, which characteristic makes a solid waste a hazardous waste due to its ability to cause fire during routine waste management?