CES - Certified Environmental Scientist Solid and Hazardous Waste Questions and Answers

Question 1

A solid waste is determined to be a hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) if it exhibits certain characteristics.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four characteristics of a hazardous waste?

Accepted Answer

Infectiousness

Answer

Ignitability

Answer

Corrosivity

Answer

Reactivity

Question 2

An environmental scientist is evaluating two federal environmental statutes for a contaminated site. One statute, RCRA, focuses on managing solid and hazardous waste from generation to disposal, while the other, CERCLA, deals with the cleanup of abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. What is the common term for the RCRA framework?

Accepted Answer

Cradle-to-Grave

Answer

Gate-to-Gate

Answer

Source-to-Sink

Answer

Well-to-Wheel

Question 3

A manufacturing facility is implementing a new waste management plan to align with the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990. According to the EPA's Waste Management Hierarchy, which of the following actions should be given the highest priority?

Accepted Answer

Re-designing a production process to use fewer toxic raw materials.

Answer

Implementing a comprehensive recycling program for waste materials.

Answer

Installing an incinerator to recover energy from combustible waste.

Answer

Contracting with a licensed facility for safe treatment and disposal of waste.

Question 4

During the monitoring of a municipal solid waste landfill, the primary safety concern related to landfill gas is its potential for explosion. What is the main component of landfill gas that creates this explosion hazard?

Accepted Answer

Methane

Answer

Hydrogen Sulfide

Answer

Carbon Dioxide

Answer

Ammonia

Question 5

A remedial action plan is being developed for a site contaminated with chlorinated solvents. The plan involves injecting a chemical oxidant into the subsurface to destroy the contaminants in-situ. Which of the following treatment technologies does this scenario describe?

Accepted Answer

In-Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO)

Answer

Solidification/Stabilization

Answer

Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE)

Answer

Pump and Treat

Question 6

In the design of a modern hazardous waste landfill, a leachate collection system is a critical component required by RCRA regulations. What is the maximum allowable depth of leachate that can accumulate over the liner system?

Accepted Answer

30 cm (1 foot)

Answer

15 cm (6 inches)

Answer

45 cm (1.5 feet)

Answer

60 cm (2 feet)

A solid waste is determined to be a hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) if it exhibits certain characteristics.Which of the following is NOT one of the four characteristics of a hazardous waste?

A solid waste is determined to be a hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) if it exhibits certain characteristics.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four characteristics of a hazardous waste?