Waste Management Environmental Practices Review Quiz

This statement is stating that wastes that are derived from listed waste are considered listed, unless they have been exempted or delisted. In other words, if a waste is derived from a waste that is already listed, it will also be considered listed unless it has been exempted or removed from the list. Therefore, the statement is true.

A potentially responsible party refers to an individual or entity that may be held accountable for the contamination of a site or the release of hazardous substances. This can include various parties such as generators, who produce the hazardous substances, transporters, who move the substances from one location to another, and facility owners, who operate the sites where the substances are stored or used. Therefore, it is true that a potentially responsible party can be a generator, transporter, or a facility owner.

Recycling helps to reduce pollution by preventing waste from going to landfills, conserving energy, and conserving land. When waste is recycled, it is diverted from landfills, reducing the amount of pollution that can be generated from landfill operations. Additionally, recycling reduces the need for extracting and processing raw materials, saving energy. Lastly, recycling helps conserve land by reducing the need for new landfills and the destruction of natural habitats. Therefore, the correct answer is "all of the above".

Clean-up of operating facilities falls under Corrective Action because it involves addressing and rectifying any issues or problems that may have occurred during the operation of the facilities. Corrective Action aims to identify and eliminate the root causes of these issues, ensuring that the facilities are restored to their proper functioning state. This may involve cleaning up any spills or messes, repairing equipment or infrastructure, and implementing measures to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.

Purchasing an orphan site refers to acquiring a property or land that has been abandoned or neglected by its previous owner. By purchasing such a site, you are taking on the responsibility of managing and maintaining it. This includes addressing any environmental hazards, ensuring public safety, and complying with local regulations. Therefore, it is true that purchasing an orphan site could make you a responsible party.

Composting is indeed one of the best ways to recycle organic waste streams. It involves the natural decomposition of organic materials such as food scraps, yard waste, and leaves, turning them into nutrient-rich compost that can be used as a natural fertilizer for plants. Composting helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and improves soil health. Therefore, the statement "One of the best ways to recycle organic waste streams is composting" is true.

This statement is false because even if a facility follows its state permit, it still has to comply with local laws. State permits may provide some guidelines and regulations for the facility, but local laws can impose additional requirements that must be followed. Therefore, compliance with state permits alone does not exempt a facility from complying with local laws.

Solid waste can be in various forms including solid, liquid, and containerized gas. Solid waste refers to any discarded materials that are not in a gaseous or liquid state. It can include items such as household trash, industrial waste, or even hazardous materials. Therefore, the correct answer is "all of the above" as solid waste can exist in any of these forms.

All of the mentioned treatments - chemical degradation, air stripping, and biodegradation - can be done in-situ. In-situ treatment refers to the process of treating contaminants at their original location without the need for excavation or removal. Chemical degradation involves the use of chemicals to break down contaminants, air stripping involves the removal of volatile contaminants by exposing them to air, and biodegradation involves the use of microorganisms to break down contaminants. All of these treatments can be applied directly to the contaminated site, making them suitable for in-situ treatment.

The correct answer is Environmental Management System. Plan, Do, Check, and React are key elements of an Environmental Management System (EMS). This system helps organizations to manage their environmental responsibilities in a systematic and effective way. The Plan phase involves setting environmental objectives and targets, while the Do phase involves implementing the planned activities. The Check phase involves monitoring and measuring the performance, and the React phase involves taking corrective actions to improve the environmental performance.

Inspections of a facility typically involve reviewing records and reports, collecting samples, and conducting interviews with staff members. However, interviews by newsman are not part of the inspection process. News reporters are not typically involved in facility inspections, as their role is to gather information for news reporting rather than conducting official inspections.

Gamma rays have the greatest penetrating ability compared to the other options. This is because gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic radiation that can easily pass through most materials, including thick layers of concrete and lead. Alpha particles, beta particles, and helium atoms are all particles with mass and charge, which makes them more easily stopped or absorbed by materials compared to gamma rays.

Exclusionary criteria refers to factors or conditions that are used to exclude or disqualify certain areas or properties from consideration. In this case, the exclusionary criteria mentioned are related to natural hazards and environmental factors, such as the 100 year floodplain, 100 feet of perennial stream, and 100 feet of sinkhole. However, the presence of angry citizens is not a natural hazard or an environmental factor, and therefore it is not considered as an exclusionary criterion.

Routes of exposure refer to the different ways in which a substance can enter the body. Inhalation, dermal (through the skin), and ingestion (through the mouth) are all common routes of exposure. However, fungal exposure is not typically considered a route of exposure. Fungal exposure usually occurs through inhalation or direct contact with fungal spores, rather than being a separate route of exposure itself.

Lean Manufacturing is a systematic approach to eliminate waste and improve efficiency in manufacturing processes. While Lean Manufacturing focuses on improving productivity and reducing costs, it does not explicitly address pollution and environmental risks. This means that Lean Manufacturing does not have specific guidelines or strategies to address environmental concerns. Therefore, the statement that pollution and environmental risks are not explicitly identified in Lean Manufacturing is true.

Superfund is a program in the United States that aims to clean up hazardous waste sites. Two types of clean-ups authorized by Superfund are removal and remedial actions. "Remedial actions" refers to the long-term actions taken to permanently clean up the site and prevent further contamination. This can include activities such as containment, treatment, and monitoring of the site to ensure it is safe for human health and the environment.

Land disposal restrictions (LDR) mandate that wastes should be treated to specific standards before they can be disposed of in landfills. This ensures that the waste is properly managed and does not pose a threat to the environment or human health. Treating the waste to certain standards helps to reduce the toxicity or volume of the waste, making it safer for disposal in landfills.

The number one concern with composting is odor because the decomposition process of organic materials can produce unpleasant smells. This can be especially problematic in residential areas or places with close proximity to people. Odor control measures, such as proper aeration and turning of the compost pile, can help minimize this issue.

The correct answer is property values. In a site investigation, environmental factors such as geology/hydrogeology, geo-technical conditions, and soil conditions are typically investigated. These factors are important for assessing the suitability and potential risks associated with a site for various purposes such as construction, development, or environmental impact. However, property values are not directly related to the environmental characteristics of a site and are typically determined by other factors such as location, market demand, and economic conditions.

Landfills are designed to safely manage and dispose of waste. The components typically included in landfill design are a subbase, secondary liner, leachate detection zone, and leachate collection zone. These components help prevent the contamination of soil and groundwater by collecting and managing leachate, which is the liquid that forms as waste decomposes. However, recycling operations are not a component of landfill design. Recycling is a separate process that involves collecting and processing materials to be reused, rather than disposing of them in landfills.

The correct answer is "physical characteristics under exposure assessment" because climate, meteorology, and geologic settings are all factors that contribute to the physical environment and can affect the level of exposure to certain substances or hazards. Understanding these physical characteristics is essential in assessing the potential risks and impacts on human health and the environment.

Medical waste is a subset of municipal waste. Municipal waste refers to waste generated by households, businesses, and institutions within a specific area. It includes various types of waste such as household waste, commercial waste, and institutional waste. Medical waste, which includes items like syringes, bandages, and expired medications, is a specific category of waste that falls under the umbrella of municipal waste. This is because it is generated within the community and requires proper disposal and management to prevent any potential health and environmental risks.

The term "excluded" refers to something that is not discarded or considered waste. In this context, it means that it is not included in the category of discarded materials or waste. Therefore, it is the option that does not fall under the definition of discarding.

The statement "Pollution prevention is recycling" is false. While recycling is a form of pollution prevention, it is not the only method. Pollution prevention refers to any action or practice that reduces or eliminates the creation of pollutants, including recycling, but also includes other strategies such as source reduction, conservation, and alternative technologies. Therefore, recycling is just one aspect of pollution prevention, but it does not encompass the entire concept.

A manifest is used to track hazardous waste from cradle to grave. This document provides detailed information about the waste, including its origin, composition, and destination. It ensures proper handling, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste, allowing for accountability and compliance with regulations. By tracking the waste through each stage of its lifecycle, a manifest helps prevent environmental contamination and potential health hazards.

Physical treatment methods are typically not used to remove organics. This is because physical methods like filtration, sedimentation, and screening are more effective in removing solids, suspended particles, and inorganic contaminants rather than organic compounds. Organics are better removed through other methods such as thermal treatment, chemical oxidation, or biological processes like aerobic or anaerobic digestion.

Hazardous wastes are substances that pose a risk to human health or the environment. They can be toxic, reactive, corrosive, or radioactive. The question asks for the option that is NOT included in the definition of hazardous wastes. Since the correct answer is "radioactive," it implies that radioactive substances are not considered hazardous wastes.

Risk characterization includes the assessment and evaluation of both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects. Carcinogenic effects refer to the ability of a substance to cause cancer, while non-carcinogenic effects encompass a wide range of other adverse health effects that a substance may cause, such as reproductive or developmental toxicity, organ damage, or allergic reactions. By considering both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects, risk characterization provides a comprehensive understanding of the potential health risks associated with a particular substance or exposure.

The question asks about the questions that need to be answered to determine if a facility generates hazardous waste. The answer "Is the product recycled?" is not included in that analogy. The other three questions - "Is secondary material a solid waste?", "Is the solid waste a hazardous waste?", and "Is the hazardous waste exempt from hazardous waste requirements?" - are all part of the process of determining if a facility generates hazardous waste. However, whether or not the product is recycled is not directly related to determining if a facility generates hazardous waste.

The correct order in the ISWM hierarchy is source reduction, recycle, resource recovery, landfilling. This means that the first step in waste management is to reduce the amount of waste produced at its source. Then, if waste is still being produced, the next step is to recycle as much of it as possible. After recycling, any remaining waste can be processed through resource recovery methods, such as energy generation from waste. Finally, if there is still waste that cannot be managed through these methods, it is sent to landfilling as a last resort.

When siting a facility, social and economic considerations typically involve factors such as local zoning and land use, property values, and environmental justice. These factors help determine the suitability of a location based on its impact on the community and the economy. Soil type, on the other hand, is not typically considered a social or economic factor when siting a facility. While soil type may be important for certain types of facilities (such as agriculture or construction), it is not directly related to the social or economic impact of the facility on the surrounding area.

A generator, transporter, and TSD facility handling hazardous waste must all obtain an EPA ID #. This identification number is issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is required for any entity involved in the management of hazardous waste. It helps in tracking and monitoring the waste from its generation to its final disposal, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and proper handling of hazardous materials.

Waste minimization aims to reduce the amount of waste generated and its associated costs, as well as to reduce the toxicity of waste. However, it does not include the concept of beneficial use of waste. Beneficial use of waste refers to finding productive or valuable applications for waste materials, such as recycling or repurposing them. While beneficial use of waste is an important concept in waste management, it is not directly related to waste minimization, which primarily focuses on reducing waste generation and associated negative impacts.

The two types of hazardous waste are characteristic and listed. Characteristic waste refers to waste that exhibits certain properties, such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity. Listed waste, on the other hand, is waste that is specifically listed by regulatory agencies as being hazardous. These lists typically include specific chemicals or substances that are known to be hazardous to human health or the environment. Both characteristic and listed waste require special handling and disposal methods to ensure they do not pose a risk to public health or the environment.

Product management is not considered an advanced management tool. Advanced management tools typically refer to methodologies or systems that help organizations improve their operations, efficiency, and overall performance. Examples of advanced management tools include Chemical Management Services, Environmental Management Systems, and Lean Manufacturing. Product management, on the other hand, focuses on the development, marketing, and sales of specific products or services. While it is an important aspect of business management, it is not typically categorized as an advanced management tool.

The distance of radiation is an important factor in radiation attenuation because as the distance from the radiation source increases, the intensity of the radiation decreases. This is due to the inverse square law, which states that the intensity of radiation is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source. Therefore, increasing the distance between a person and a radiation source can significantly reduce their exposure to radiation.

The half-life of a radioactive element refers to the time it takes for half of the atoms of that element to undergo radioactive decay or disintegrate. This means that after one half-life, half of the original atoms will have decayed, and after two half-lives, three-quarters of the original atoms will have decayed, and so on. The weight of the elements does not directly relate to the half-life of a radioactive element.

The four basic steps of risk assessment include problem formation, exposure assessment, risk characterization, and toxicity assessment. The characterization of zones is not one of the steps in risk assessment.

A RAD, or Radiation Absorbed Dose, is a unit of measurement used to quantify the amount of radiation that is absorbed by the body. It is important to measure this as it helps in determining the potential harm that radiation exposure can cause to human health. By quantifying the amount of radiation absorbed, medical professionals can assess the risks and make informed decisions regarding treatment and safety measures.

ARAR's stands for applicable relative and appropriate regulations. This term refers to the regulations that are relevant and suitable for a particular situation or context. These regulations are considered to be applicable and appropriate in addressing the specific issues or concerns at hand. The use of the term "relative" suggests that these regulations are relevant and related to the specific circumstances, while "appropriate" indicates that they are suitable and fitting for the situation. Overall, ARAR's are regulations that are considered to be both applicable and appropriate in a given context.

Models are not interchangeable with type and source of contaminant. Each model is designed to address specific types and sources of contaminants, and using a different model may not provide accurate results or effectively mitigate the contamination. It is important to select the appropriate model that aligns with the specific type and source of contaminant to ensure proper assessment and remediation.

A mixed waste refers to a combination of radiological and hazardous wastes. This means that the waste contains both radioactive materials and substances that are considered hazardous to human health or the environment. These types of wastes require special handling and disposal methods to ensure the safety of individuals and prevent any potential harm to the environment.

Exposure assessment involves the identification and characterization of sources that may lead to exposure to a particular substance or hazard. It aims to determine the pathways and levels of exposure to assess the potential risks to human health or the environment. Characterization of the source is an essential step in exposure assessment as it helps in understanding the nature and extent of the exposure. Therefore, the characterization of the source aligns with the concept of exposure assessment.

The Superfund remediation process consists of three phases: investigation and score, remediation and feasibility, and design-do-maintain. The missing phase in the options provided is preliminary remediation. This phase typically involves conducting initial assessments and surveys to gather data on the extent of contamination and potential risks. It helps in determining the appropriate remediation strategies for the site.