Hazardous Waste Management Quiz

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which organization is responsible for regulating hazardous waste disposal?

Department of Transportation (DOT)

Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (correct)

What is a hazardous material defined as?

A material that requires no special handling

Any substance that can adversely affect safety during transportation (correct)

Any material that is safe for public transport

A chemical that is only harmful in large quantities

What is the primary goal of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)?

To eliminate all waste production

To promote the use of hazardous materials

To protect human health and the environment from waste disposal hazards (correct)

To improve transportation methods for hazardous materials

Which hazardous material class includes explosives?

Class 1 Signup and view all the answers

Which agency oversees the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations regarding hazardous waste?

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Signup and view all the answers

What is classified under Class 5 of the DOT hazardous materials?

Oxidizers/Organic peroxides Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following classes describes corrosive materials?

Class 8 Signup and view all the answers

Which of these outcomes is NOT a goal of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)?

To promote the increase of hazardous waste generation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)?

To control hazardous waste from the 'cradle-to-grave'. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) primarily focus on?

Remediating past mistakes in hazardous waste management. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic used to classify hazardous waste?

Biodegradability Signup and view all the answers

What is the flash point for a waste to be classified as ignitable under hazardous waste regulations?

Less than 140°F Signup and view all the answers

Which act increased the enforcement authority of the EPA regarding hazardous waste?

Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of waste is classified as corrosive if its pH is below 2.0?

Acids and drain cleaners. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Superfund Amendment and Re-Authorization Act (SARA) primarily address?

Funded clean-up of hazardous waste dump sites. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following substances is an example of a reactive waste?

Picric acid Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a characteristic hazardous waste?

Heavy metals such as lead Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of mixing a listed hazardous waste with solid waste?

The mixture must be disposed of as hazardous waste. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is part of the four requirements to manage hazardous waste properly?

Keep waste containers labeled clearly. Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a correct component when dealing with hazardous waste containers?

Use lab glassware for liquid collections. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Discarded Chemical Commercial Product (DCCP)?

A chemical that is no longer intended for use. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following heavy metals is NOT mentioned as an example of hazardous waste?

Arsenic Signup and view all the answers

What should be done immediately after adding hazardous waste to a container?

Fill out the waste tag. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the Mixture Rule?

The mixture becomes hazardous if characteristics are observed. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste is subject to regulation from "cradle to grave"
The main governing act is the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the authority for enforcement

Waste Characteristics

Four main characteristics classify waste as hazardous: Ignitability, Corrosivity, Reactivity, and Toxicity
Ignitable Waste: Has a flashpoint below 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Examples include Acetonitrile, alcohols, acetone, toluene, xylene, ether.
Corrosive Waste: Has a pH less than 2 or greater than 12.5. Examples include Acids, glass cleaner, hydroxides, bases, drain cleaners.
Reactive Waste: Unstable waste, may explode under certain conditions such as heat, friction, or pressure. Examples include Picric acid, peroxide-forming chemicals, ethyl ethers, dinitro compounds.
Toxic Waste: Fails the Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) Test. Examples include heavy metals: mercury, lead, silver, chromic acid

The Mixture Rule

A mixture of a hazardous and solid waste is considered hazardous if:
- The mixture exhibits any of the hazardous waste characteristics
- The hazardous waste is listed as a hazardous waste.
The mixture rule applies even if the solid waste is not considered hazardous on its own.
The entire mixture becomes subject to regulations as hazardous waste.
Example: One quart of spent methylene chloride (F002) mixed with 500 gallons of used oil becomes 500.25 gallons of hazardous waste.

Avoiding Hazardous Waste Trouble

Always clearly label containers as "Hazardous Waste"
Use a completed waste tag with no abbreviations
Keep containers closed except when adding waste
Ensure proper hazardous waste training

Hazardous Waste Containers

Liquids: Use 5-gallon carboys provided by EHS that are DOT-approved. Do not use lab glassware, beakers, or flasks.
Small Containers: Create your own containers by defacing previous labeling. EHS will provide packing material (boxes, absorbent) for transporting.

Discarded Chemical Commercial Product (DCCP)

A DCCP is a listed hazardous waste that was once a commercial product.

Other Classifications of Hazardous Material

Hazardous Material refers to a substance or material that may adversely affect safety during transportation. It is governed by the Department of Transportation (DOT).
Nine (9) DOT Hazard Classes: Explosive, Gases, Flammable/Combustible Liquid, Spontaneously Combustible, Oxidizer/Organic Peroxide, Poison, Radioactive, Corrosive, Miscellaneous Dangerous Material.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)

Also known as Superfund, CERCLA was enacted in 1980 to remedy past mistakes in hazardous waste management.

Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA)

Enacted in 1984, the HSWA phased out land disposal of hazardous waste.
It initiated a comprehensive underground storage tank program and increased EPA enforcement authority.

Superfund Amendment and Re-Authorization Act (SARA)

Re-authorized funding for abandoned site clean-up in 1986.
Required OSHA to establish safety and health standards for hazardous waste operations and emergency response.
Established three sections (Titles I, II, and III).

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) - "Cradle to Grave"

RCRA guides the management of hazardous waste from generation to disposal.
It includes generation, transportation, treatment, and recovery processes.

Hazardous Waste Classification

Classifying waste as hazardous involves a multi-step process:
- Is the waste a solid waste?
- Is the waste excluded?
- Is the waste listed?
- Does the waste display a characteristic?
- Is the waste a regulated mixture?

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on hazardous waste management and the regulations that govern it. This quiz covers the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the four main characteristics of hazardous waste: Ignitability, Corrosivity, Reactivity, and Toxicity. Challenge yourself and learn about the specific examples of hazardous materials!