solid waste

A small company produces sludge that contains 82% moisture and 18% of a hazardous inorganic/metal blend. What stabilizing agent would be best in this scenario to solidify the waste?

Portland Cement

What item is not a critical factor when evaluating site conditions for building a new landfill?

distance from military base

What environmental law requires generators to be responsible for the waste they produce from "Cradle to Grave"?

RCRA- resource conservation and recovery act

What test method is used on wastes that are stabilized and solidified in order to determine if they are toxic?

TCLP-Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure

What type of landfill requires a double liner?

hazardous waste secure landfill

Which of the following waste is hazardous?

D

a. an organic waste with a flash point of 75C

b. an inorganic waste that has a pH of 11.9

c. a waste that contains over 80% sodium bentonite

D. a waste mixture that has a pH of 2.25, but contains 50% water

When is it required to utilize a manifest form?

when shipping hazardous waste materials to disposal

Why is clay often selected as the material for landfill liners?

clay possesses a very low coefficient of permeability

What is the approximate composition of gases in the effluent gas from a mature MSW landfill that is utilized in an energy production project?

50% methane, 45% CO2, 5% other gases

Community waste disposal is often funded by the tax base, flat fees, or user fee. User fee is also known as pay as you throw, where residents pay for their waste based on what they throw away. What would you not expect for a community that is switching from tax based funded waste disposal to pay as you throw?

less economic security for the municipality budget

An industrial company generates a solid waste that is consistent quality product, that is uniform in chemical composition. What might be the most economically beneficial waste management strategy for the company?

perform an on-site recycling program

What penalties are possible for an individual working for a company who falsifies records to suggest that a hazardous waste was disposed of as a non-hazardous waste?

individual fines and jail time

Beyond economic reasons, why is it important to recycle aluminum material?

recycled aluminum needs 90% less energy than new aluminum from bauxite ore

With regard to CERCLA what is a PRP?

potentially responsible party

During the initial phase of site assessment, it is necessary to utilize historical records for detailed information. Which question is not likely obtainable or helpful for site assessment from historical records?

were there many disgruntled workers that performed illegal activities?

You are working at a facility that has many hazardous waste containers. One of the remediation contractors asked you if halogenated organics can be mixed with amines. What is the possible outcome?

This is not acceptable, the compounds will generate heat and toxic gases.

Is it acceptable to mix an oxidizing acid with isocyanates?

this is not acceptable, the compounds will generate heat, fire, and toxic gases

Would a mixture of ethanol and ethylene with water?

this is fine, no reaction expected

What is the purpose of the National Priorities List?

this is a list of the worst sites identified for long-term cleanup.

During site remediation process for CERCLA, what is the purpose of the RI/FS?

to assess the nature and extent of contamination, and understand treatability.

If there is an aqueous waste containing radioactive metals, what could be a first step, prior to long term management?

precipitate and concentrate the radioactive materials

What type of radioactive waste is most likely managed through a geological depository?

high level wastes

What is the purpose of geological depository for radioactive wastes?

to utilize deep underground isolation of dangerous radioactive materials

When is ground water monitoring required under RCRA regulations?

During the life of facility or 30 years after closure of land disposal facility

What is HSWA?

Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments to RCRA

-tracks creation of waste and containment

-land ban of liquid hazardous waste

What is CERCLA?

Comprehensive Environmental, Compensation, & Liability Act (1980) (aka SUPERFUND): created to deal with wastes produced in the past. Goal is to identify abandoned sites and clean them up on a priority basis. Government does not have to prove anyone violated a law or what role they played in a superfund site allows them to respond to damages

Characteristics of hazardous wastes

ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, toxicity