Question 1

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets a "primary standard" for air pollution. This standard is designed to protect against harm to:

Accepted Answer

The primary standard for air pollution set by the EPA is designed to protect human health. It sets limits on the maximum permissible levels of pollutants in the air to ensure that the air we breathe does not cause harm to our health. While air pollution can certainly have negative effects on plant and animal health and can contribute to climate change, the primary focus of the standard is on protecting human health.

Question 2

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) combine with _____ under the influence of sunlight to become ozone-also known as smog.

Accepted Answer

VOCs react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight to form ozone, which is a major component of smog.

Question 3

The EPA regulates underground storage tanks, such as those used for gasoline.

Accepted Answer

The EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) does regulate underground storage tanks (USTs) that are used for gasoline and other hazardous substances. This includes enforcing rules for tank installation, maintenance, leak prevention, and cleanup of any spills or leaks that do occur.

Question 4

The Toxic Substances Control Act gives the EPA the authority to regulate the production and use of agricultural chemicals such as insecticides.

Accepted Answer

The Federal Insecticide,Fungicide,and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)gives EPA the authority to register pesticides before they can be sold,to provide for the certification of appliers of pesticides designated for restrictive use,to set limits on the pesticide residue permitted on crops that provide food for people or animals,and to register and inspect pesticide manufacturing establishments.

Question 5

Which of the following is true of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)?

Accepted Answer

NEPA allows citizens and organizations to challenge proposed projects which may have significant environmental effects in court. The NEPA ensures that federal agencies consider the potential environmental impacts of their proposed actions and consult with interested parties before embarking on a course of action. While some states have their environmental protection laws, the NEPA does not allow them to opt-out of the federal law. Additionally, the NEPA applies only to federal activities, not state activities or activities undertaken by businesses.

Question 6

Under the Clean Air Act, the federal government is required to develop a state implementation plan for meeting national ambient air quality standards in every state.

Accepted Answer

Each state is required to develop a state implementation plan for meeting national ambient air quality standards.

Question 7

The EPA has set national ambient air quality standards for:

Accepted Answer

The EPA has set national ambient air quality standards for sulfur oxide, which is a harmful air pollutant emitted from industrial processes and vehicle exhaust. The EPA has not set national ambient air quality standards for chlorofluorocarbons, carbon dioxide, or methane.

Question 8

According to the NEPA, every business contemplating a project must file an environmental impact statement.

Accepted Answer

According to the NEPA, only federal agencies must file an environmental impact statement for projects that may have a significant impact on the environment. Private businesses are only required to file an environmental impact statement if their project requires a permit from a federal agency.

Question 9

The Clean Water Act establishes a program governing the injection of wastes into wells.

Accepted Answer

The Safe Drinking Water Act establishes a program governing the injection of wastes into wells.

Question 10

Violators can only be subjected to civil penalties for failure to fulfill the hazardous waste regulations promulgated under RCRA.

Accepted Answer

Failure to comply with the hazardous waste regulations promulgated under RCRA can subject violators to civil and criminal penalties.

Question 11

Under the Clean Water Act, the states have the main responsibility for regulating water pollution.

Accepted Answer

The Clean Water Act grants the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to regulate water pollution, but it also recognizes the states' role in implementing and enforcing water quality standards. Therefore, the responsibility is shared between the EPA and the states.

Question 12

The EPA's "tailoring rule" would require certain new large sources to address their greenhouse gas emissions as they get permits.

Accepted Answer

The EPA's "tailoring rule" aims to regulate greenhouse gases emitted by certain new large sources, requiring them to address those emissions as they obtain permits.

Question 13

A shortcoming of the CERCLA is that the federal and state governments must bear the sole financial burden for cleaning up the sites.

Accepted Answer

The CERCLA includes provisions for the responsible parties to bear the financial burden for cleaning up hazardous waste sites. However, if the responsible parties cannot be identified or located, or are unable to pay for cleanup, then the federal and state governments may need to step in to cover the costs.

Question 14

The EPA bears the primary responsibility for the siting and regulation of solid waste disposal.

Accepted Answer

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)authorizes EPA to set minimum standards for solid waste disposal,but states and local governments bear the primary responsibility for the siting and regulation of such disposal.

Question 15

The Clean Water Act sets up a permit system for any dredging or filling activity in wetlands that is administered by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Accepted Answer

The Clean Water Act does set up a permit system for dredging or filling activities in wetlands and it is administered by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Question 16

The _____, enacted in 1970, required that an environmental impact statement be prepared for every recommendation or report on legislation and for every major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the environment.

Accepted Answer

The National Environmental Policy Act, also known as NEPA, was enacted in 1970 and requires an environmental impact statement to be prepared for every recommendation or report on legislation and for every major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the environment.

Question 17

The Clean Water Act incorporates both civil and criminal sanctions.

Accepted Answer

The Clean Water Act includes both civil and criminal penalties for violations. Civil penalties may include fines or orders to comply with regulations, while criminal penalties may result in imprisonment and higher fines.

Question 18

The preconstruction review process required under the Clean Air Act applies to new facilities as well as existing facilities that undergo modifications.

Accepted Answer

The preconstruction review process, also known as the New Source Review (NSR), applies to both new facilities and existing facilities that undergo modifications that result in a significant increase in emissions. This is outlined in the Clean Air Act's Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program.

Question 19

The Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1987 set up a permit system regulating the dumping of all types of materials into ocean waters.

Accepted Answer

The Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1987 required that all ocean dumping of municipal sewage sludge and industrial wastes be terminated by December 31,1991.The Marine Protection,Research,and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 set up a permit system regulating the dumping of all types of materials into ocean waters.

Question 20

No manufacturer may sell vehicles subject to emission standards without prior certification from the EPA.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets emissions standards for new vehicles sold in the United States, and manufacturers must obtain certification from the EPA before they can sell those vehicles.

Quiz 52: Environmental Regulation