Solid Waste, E-Waste, Radiation, Energy, and Fracking Flashcards

Flashcards covering topics from solid waste management to energy resources, radiation, and fracking.

What was the original act amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976?

The Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965

What are the three distinct but interrelated programs under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976?

Solid waste, Hazardous waste, and Underground storage tank (UST)

What product category contributes the most to municipal solid waste generation in the US?

Containers and packaging

What material contributes the most to municipal solid waste generation in the US?

Paper and paperboard

What event triggered the creation of CERCLA in 1980?

The Love Canal incident in the late 1970s

What are the main objectives of CERCLA?

Create a tax on chemical and petroleum industries and provide authority to respond directly to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances

What is the purpose of the superfund established by CERCLA?

To provide for cleanup when no responsible party can be identified

What are the three classes of low-level radioactive waste (LLRW)?

Class A (least hazardous), Class B (moderate), and Class C (most hazardous)

What does WEEE stand for in the context of electronic waste?

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

What is the primary objective of the Basel Convention?

Combat “toxic trade” and prevent the movement of hazard substances between nations

What is Guiyu, China known for?

Being the e-waste recycling capital of the world

What is the key difference between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation?

Ionizing radiation has sufficient energy to disrupt atoms, while non-ionizing radiation does not.

What defines the half-life of a radioisotope?

The time it takes for one half of the atoms of a radioisotope to decay by emitting radiation.

What are the four main types of ionizing radiation resulting from radioactive decay?

Alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays/x-rays, and neutrons

What unit of measurement for radiation dose is commonly used in the US?

Roentgen equivalent man (REM)

What discovery did Sir James Chadwick make in 1932?

The discovery of the neutron.

What is the significance of Otto Hahn's discovery in 1938?

He discovered nuclear fission.

What was the main outcome of the Manhattan Project (1942-1946)?

The production of the first atomic bombs during World War II.

What was the purpose of the Atomic Energy Act of 1946?

To establish the US Atomic Energy Commission and promote the utilization of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

What was the primary cause of the Three Mile Island accident in 1979?

Failure to cool down the nuclear reactor, leading to a meltdown.

What are the three contributors to cognitive biases in perceived risks, according to Amos Tversky?

Representativeness, Anchoring, and Availability.

What was the purpose of the Chernobyl nuclear power station?

To provide electricity to the central power region of the USSR for the neighboring republics

What led to the accident at Chernobyl in 1986?

A flawed reactor design operated with inadequately trained personnel.

What were the primary short-term health effects following the Chernobyl accident?

Initial radiation exposure in contaminated areas due to short lived iodine 131 and cesium 137

What is a major long-term health effect that has been observed following the Chernobyl disaster?

Increased incidence of thyroid cancer, especially in children who consumed milk contaminated with radioactive iodine.

What are the 5 stages of multistage carcinogenesis?

1. Initiation, 2. Promotion, 3. Malignant conversion, 4. Progression, 5. Cancer

Name three types of renewable energy sources.

Solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, hydropower

Which two countries have the highest total energy use?

USA and China

What percentage of total US energy consumption is from non-renewable sources?

90%

Which two sectors account for the largest portion of total energy consumption in the US?

Transportation and electric power

What is the primary energy source in China?

Coal

Which country produces the most natural gas?

Russia

Which countries primarily rely on nuclear energy for electricity production?

France, Sweden, and Ukraine

What is the Marcellus Shale known for?

Natural gas production via fracking, located near the Appalachian Mountains.

Name two potential economic benefits of natural gas production.

Job creation and lower gas prices.

What is the role of water and chemicals in Hydraulic Fracturing?

They are combined and moved to the perforated parts to slowly break the shale.

What is the major concern of Hydraulic Fracturing being underground?

Can lead to drinking water problems

What is the purpose of The Energy Policy Act of 2005?

ensure jobs to our future with secure, affordable, and reliable energy

What is the purpose of The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974?

provide the US epa authority to protect public health by regulating the nations public drinking water supply