CPWM - Certified Professional in Waste Management Waste Characterization and Classification Questions and Answers

Question 1

A solid waste is determined to be a RCRA characteristic hazardous waste if it exhibits which of the following properties?

Accepted Answer

Ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity

Answer

Radioactivity, flammability, toxicity, or bioaccumulation

Answer

Solubility, mobility, persistence, or infectiousness

Answer

Explosiveness, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or teratogenicity

Question 2

A waste management facility receives a shipment of industrial sludge. A test reveals the sludge is an aqueous solution with a pH of 1.5. How should this waste be classified?

Accepted Answer

As a corrosive hazardous waste (D002)

Answer

As a non-hazardous solid waste

Answer

As a reactive hazardous waste (D003)

Answer

As a universal waste

Question 3

Which of the following is a primary goal of the EPA's Universal Waste Program?

Accepted Answer

To encourage the collection and recycling of certain common hazardous wastes

Answer

To increase the regulatory burden on small quantity generators

Answer

To mandate the incineration of all listed hazardous wastes

Answer

To classify all industrial byproducts as non-hazardous

Question 4

When conducting a municipal solid waste (MSW) characterization study, the 'quartering' method is a technique used for what purpose?

Accepted Answer

Obtaining a representative, smaller sample from a larger, mixed waste pile

Answer

Calculating the bulk density of the entire waste load

Answer

Separating organic from inorganic materials

Answer

Measuring the moisture content of the waste

Question 5

A manufacturing facility generates a waste stream that is not explicitly on an F, K, P, or U list. What is the generator's next critical step in the hazardous waste determination process?

Accepted Answer

Determine if the waste exhibits one of the four characteristics of hazardous waste

Answer

Assume the waste is non-hazardous and dispose of it in a municipal landfill

Answer

Petition the EPA to have the waste added to a listed waste category

Answer

Mix the waste with a non-hazardous waste to dilute any potential hazard

Question 6

Which of the following materials is federally regulated and can be managed as a universal waste to ease regulatory burdens?

Accepted Answer

Spent lead-acid batteries

Answer

Asbestos-containing building materials

Answer

Regulated medical waste

Answer

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)