Environmental Management Systems Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is one common source of lead emissions?

  • Battery manufacturing (correct)
  • Water treatment facilities
  • Natural gas production
  • Solar energy plants

What term describes an area where groundwater is insufficient due to excessive extraction?

  • Cone of depression (correct)
  • Aquifer depletion
  • Recharge zone
  • Water table

What is the term used for the volume of water that drains by gravity from a specific volume of soil or rock?

  • Hydraulic conductivity
  • Groundwater recharge
  • Specific yield (correct)
  • Water retention

What pH level is typically associated with unconfined aquifers?

<p>5.7 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a source of lead emissions?

<p>Wind energy farms (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary problem associated with releases from underground storage tanks?

<p>Piping failure (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of flow rate reduction can flanges on exhaust hoods provide?

<p>25% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which category is not included in the 6 environmental categories for LEED certification?

<p>Sustainable Consumption (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

LEED certification aims to distinguish buildings that have what type of impact on the environment?

<p>Less impact (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Adding flanges to exhaust hoods affects which aspect of airborne contaminants?

<p>Capture velocity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT belong to the LEED certification system?

<p>Site Selection (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What issue can arise from corrosion in relation to underground storage tanks?

<p>Increased leakage (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What process involves decreasing the acidity or alkalinity of a substance?

<p>Neutralization (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of disinfection?

<p>To kill pathogenic organisms (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic does a waste exhibit if it has a pH less than 2?

<p>Corrosivity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Toxic Characteristic Leachate Procedure (TCLP) assess?

<p>Toxicity of waste (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is classified as Listed Hazardous Waste?

<p>Waste that meets specific regulatory conditions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What denotes a waste as having reactivity characteristics?

<p>It is unstable under normal conditions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of waste that can ignite?

<p>Ignitability by closed cup flash point (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does not relate to the definition of a characteristic waste?

<p>Listed hazardous waste (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can a mixture of waste be defined regarding hazardous classification?

<p>It contains both listed and non-hazardous waste (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary health effect of lead pollution?

<p>Central nervous system damage (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which compounds are necessary for the formation of ground-level ozone?

<p>Nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of damage can chromium cause to the human body?

<p>Harm to the nasal septum (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main source of lead pollution mentioned?

<p>Leaded automobile fuels (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a health effect of ozone as a pollutant on Earth?

<p>Respiratory issues (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the harmful effects commonly associated with particulate matter in the air?

<p>Mental retardation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does ozone in the atmosphere protect humans?

<p>Absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which industry is a source of chromium pollution?

<p>Chromium plating (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following gases is specifically mentioned as a highly reactive air pollutant?

<p>Ozone (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an adverse health effect associated with lead exposure?

<p>Cancer (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of baghouses in environmental management?

<p>To filter solid particles from gaseous exhaust (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which two zones of groundwater are identified in the content?

<p>Saturated zone and Unsaturated zone (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'water table' refer to?

<p>The surface where saturated ground meets unsaturated ground (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the potentiometric surface?

<p>To show the level where water pressure equals atmospheric pressure (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following principles do baghouses utilize to remove pollutants?

<p>Sieving, impaction, agglomeration, and electrostatic filtration (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the saturated zone characterized?

<p>All pores and fractures are filled with water (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the saturated zone and the unsaturated zone?

<p>The saturated zone is below the water table and filled with water (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about baghouses is NOT true?

<p>They rely solely on chemical reactions for filtration. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which layer interposes between the land surface and the water table?

<p>Unsaturated zone (Vadose zone) (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the movement of pollutants through underground waters typically quantified?

<p>By assessing the potentiometric surface (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Neutralization

The process of reducing the acidity or alkalinity of a substance by adding an alkaline or acidic material.

Disinfection

A chemical or physical process that eliminates harmful microorganisms in water, air, or on surfaces.

Characteristic Waste

Waste with any of these characteristics: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity.

Listed Hazardous Waste

Waste specifically listed in the hazardous waste regulations.

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Mixtures

Waste that's a combination of a listed hazardous waste and a non-hazardous waste.

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Puff

A sudden release of a specific amount of materials causing a concentrated spike in the environment.

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Plume

A concentration of materials released over an extended period of time.

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Release rate

The amount of material released per unit time (e.g., grams per second).

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Underground Storage Tank Problems

Issues related to underground storage tanks (USTs) such as corrosion, spills, and overfilling.

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LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

A type of environmental certification system that is awarded to buildings meeting specific sustainability criteria.

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Sustainable Sites

One of the 6 main environmental categories for LEED certification, focusing on the building site and its impact on the environment.

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Water Efficiency

One of the 6 main environmental categories for LEED certification, focusing on the use and conservation of water.

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Specific Yield

The volume of water that will drain by gravity from a specific volume of soil or rock.

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Cone of Depression

An area lacking groundwater due to rapid withdrawal by a well.

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Water Table Aquifer

Unconfined aquifers are also called water table aquifers.

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Cone of Depression in a Confined Aquifer

When water is pumped from a confined aquifer, a cone of depression is formed.

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Confined Aquifer

A type of aquifer where water is contained between layers of impermeable rock.

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Ozone

A highly reactive gas that occurs naturally in the atmosphere and protects us from harmful UV radiation from the sun, but is considered an air pollutant at ground level.

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How is ozone formed at ground level?

Ozone is formed by a chemical reaction between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. It is harmful to inhale and can cause respiratory problems.

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Lead

Lead is a heavy metal emitted into the atmosphere as particulate matter. It comes from sources like paint, batteries, and old gasoline.

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What are the health effects of lead?

Lead exposure can lead to central nervous system damage, mental retardation, digestive system problems, and cancer.

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Chromium

Chromium is a metal that is harmful to the nasal septum and can cause 'chrome' holes in the nose.

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What are the sources of chromium pollution?

Chromium is emitted into the atmosphere as particulate matter. It is commonly found in paint and chrome plating.

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Particulate Matter (PM)

Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets that are suspended in the air.

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What are the health effects of SPM?

SPM can cause lung damage, irritation of the nose and throat, and other respiratory issues.

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What are the long-term health effects of air pollution?

Exposure to air pollution can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, stroke, respiratory disease, and cancer.

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How does air pollution affect existing health problems?

Air pollution can also worsen pre-existing health conditions such as asthma and heart disease.

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What is a baghouse?

A type of air pollution control device that uses fabric filters to remove solid particles from exhaust streams.

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How efficient are baghouses?

The efficiency of baghouses is very high, typically removing 99% or more of solid particles from the air.

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What mechanisms do baghouses use to remove particles?

Baghouses use a combination of physical and electrostatic principles to capture particles. These include sieving, impaction, agglomeration, and electrostatic filtration.

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What is the saturated zone?

The area of groundwater where all the pores and fractures in the rock are completely filled with water.

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What is the unsaturated zone?

The upper part of the groundwater system, where air and water coexist in the pores of the rock.

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What is the potentiometric surface?

The boundary between the saturated and unsaturated zones. It's the level where the water pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure.

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What is the water table?

The top of the saturated zone, where the water pressure equals atmospheric pressure.

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What is another name for the unsaturated zone?

The unsaturated zone is also called the Vadose zone, as it's the area above the saturated zone.

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How deep can the water table be?

The water table can be just a few feet below the surface or hundreds of feet deep, depending on the location and rainfall.

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Why is understanding groundwater movement important?

Understanding the movement of water through the ground is important for studying how pollutants travel and for managing groundwater resources.

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Study Notes

Environmental Management Systems

  • Acceptable methods for corrosion protection of underground storage tanks include adding interior lining, cathodic protection, or a combination of both. It is not practical to coat unprotected steel tanks.
  • Transformers, capacitors, and fluorescent light ballasts often contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
  • Environmental site assessments characterize physical properties and operations at a site to understand specific conditions.
  • Environmental audits verify documented expectations, typically regulations and policies through interviews, review of records, and observations.
  • Organizations demonstrate conformity to ISO 14001 standards by self-determination, seeking confirmation of compliance from interested parties, or through external certification/registration.
  • Azides should never be disposed of down the drain as they are explosive when heated and can form shock-sensitive and highly explosive mixtures when in contact with other heavy metals or hydrogen.
  • EVABAT (Economic Viable Application of Best Available Technology) aims to control environmental impacts without significant financial hardship to organizations.
  • Spill response operations include planning, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), mitigation, and decontamination.
  • Soil columns can be classified by particle size according to pollution prevention measures.
  • LCA(Life Cycle Assessment) is a systematic method for collecting and analyzing inputs, outputs and environmental impacts throughout the entire life cycle of a product or service.
  • The waste management hierarchy orders waste management from most preferred to least preferred as source reduction and reuse, recycling and composting, energy recovery and treatment and disposal.
  • Mislabeling hazardous chemicals is the most frequently cited violation of environmental regulations.
  • Airborne release studies hazardous materials into the atmosphere using plume (steady state) and puff (single release) models.
  • Underground storage tanks present problems such as piping failures, corrosion, and spills/overfilling.
  • Adding parallel flanges to the face of exhaust hoods can reduce flow rate by about 25% which is needed to achieve a given capture velocity for airborne contaminants.
  • LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a certification process for new buildings and renovations including a rating system to guide high-performance buildings for minimal environmental impact. Six environmental categories for LEED certification include sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, and materials and resources.
  • Pollution prevention is primarily driven by business interests meeting current and future needs.
  • Closed loop recycling is a system in which process waste is conveyed through closed systems to a tank storage to then be recycled in tanks before being returned to the production system. Recycling of spent solvent is one example.
  • Disposal of waste can be achieved through destruction or disposal in a landfill.
  • Pre-consumer content is the fraction of feedstock in manufacturing a material derived from wastes captured during manufacturing. Repulping scrap paper is an example.
  • Post-consumer content is the fraction of feedstock in materials used by the public then discarded and collected for reprocessing.
  • Waste minimization is an activity that decreases or prevents the creation of waste or that decreases the toxicity of the waste stream.
  • Waste reduction is a decrease in the volume of waste that requires management.
  • Environmental management guidelines are composed of interlinking and supporting components such as flocculation, dewatering, neutralization, and disinfection.
  • Flocculation is the process by which clumps of solids in water/wastewater aggregate through biological or chemical action to be separated.
  • Dewatering is the removal or separation of a portion of water in a sludge or slurry to dry the sludge for disposal.
  • Neutralization is a process to decrease acidity or alkalinity in a material by adding alkaline or acidic substances.
  • Disinfection is a chemical or physical process which kills pathogenic organisms in water/air/surfaces. Chlorine is commonly used in disinfecting sewage treatment systems.
  • Hazardous waste will be subject to regulations if it meets any characteristics like ignitability (how easily something catches fire), reactivity (how easily it reacts), corrosiveness (how harmful it it to metals), and toxicity (how harmful to living things).
  • Hazardous waste classes define the toxicity and risk of different types of waste.
  • Waste minimization uses techniques such as source reduction or recycling to reduce waste volume, toxicity or both.
  • Important indicators in determining the adequacy of water treatment and the integrity of distribution systems include total coliforms.
  • A system's life cycle includes concept, development, production, and deployment and sustainment and disposal stages.
  • The IMO (International Maritime Organization) is a UN agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution.
  • UNEP (United Nations Environmental Programme) coordinates environmental activities globally and assists developing countries.
  • IAIA (International Association for Impact Assessment) brings professionals together to consider social and environmental impact assessments.
  • IATA (International Air Transport Association) works with governments on safety protocols for transport of goods by air.
  • RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) is a law that requires the tracking of hazardous waste from "cradle to grave" (from creation to disposal).
  • CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) and SARA (Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act) establish procedures for handling hazardous or abandoned sites and cleanup efforts that include liability and funds.
  • Different types of generators are classified according to the amount of waste generated.
  • Hazardous waste can be classified according to the characteristics or specific requirements listed.
  • Various hazardous waste regulations and standards and classifications exist, including but not limited to DOT (Department of Transportation), TSCA, CERCLA, SARA, and Title II of TSCA.
  • Four hazardous waste recovery methods include distillation, solvent extraction, carbon adsorption, and ultrafiltration.
  • Different methods of hazardous waste treatment and removal exists, including treatment, deconstruction, destruction or disposal.
  • Greenhouse gases are substances that trap heat energy close to the earth's surface and are responsible for climate change such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
  • Different types of air pollutants include primary (directly emitted) and secondary (formed from reactions) pollutants such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, SPM, ozone, and lead.
  • Air pollutants cause many adverse health effects including lung damage, breathing problems, and central nervous system issues, to list a few.
  • Pollution control techniques used to control hazardous waste include: scrubbers, wet scrubbers, dry scrubbers, cyclones, electrostatic precipitators, and bag houses.
  • Two zones of groundwater include an unsaturated zone (vadose zone) which sits above the water table, and a saturated zone which fills all pores and rocks at the water table or below.
  • Darcys law is useful for quantifying the movement of contaminants through underground waters by utilizing discharge, hydraulic conductivity, cross sectional area, and pressure loss between two areas in a given location.
  • A piezometer is an instrument that is useful in measuring groundwater depth.
  • Flocculation, dewatering, and neutralization are processes used to remove contaminants by utilizing chemical and/or physical reactions.
  • Water table is the top of the groundwater zone.
  • A potentiometric surface is the boundary that is formed between the saturated and unsaturated groundwater zones..
  • LCA phases include concept, development, production, and deployment, and sustainment and disposal.
  • Methods to remove and recover hazardous substances from soil include in-situ (onsite) and ex-situ (offsite) methods and other removal and treatment mechanisms.
  • Important considerations include particle size, sustained released over time, acute release, and dispersion modeling (how chemicals spread).
  • Important consideration to avoid harm in working with hazardous material include correct PPE, training, appropriate site control mechanisms, and detailed plans.
  • Hazardous materials storage, transport, and treatment and removal are important topics that are often included in environmental management programs.

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This quiz explores various aspects of Environmental Management Systems, including corrosion protection methods for underground tanks and the handling of hazardous materials like PCBs. Learn about environmental audits, site assessments, and ISO 14001 compliance standards in this comprehensive overview. Test your knowledge on best practices in environmental management.

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