EPA Basics
This year the EPA was created.
1970
The CAA regulates these.
Air Emissions and Pollutants
What permit is required to discharge to U.S. waters?
NPDES permit
Which law uses the cradle-to-grave system?
RCRA
Which law governs Superfund cleanups?
CERCLA
NEPA applies to what type of project?
Federal projects with potential environmental impacts
What is a permit?
Legal authorization with conditions to operate or discharge.
What does LEED measure?
Sustainable building, efficiency, and waste diversion.
Name two EPA digital tools.
ECHO and Envirofacts and TRI
Concrete washout entering a storm drain violates what?
Clean Water Act + missing SWPPP/BMP
The President who established the EPA.
Richard Nixon
What is the main goal of the CAA?
To reduce harmful air pollutants and protect public health.
What law is violated if concrete washout enters storm drains?
Clean Water Act
What year was RCRA passed?
1976
What does CERCLA address?
Contaminated sites and liability for cleanup.
What document does NEPA require for major impacts?
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Who issues most environmental permits?
State agencies (e.g., KDHE, MO DNR)
How does LEED relate to waste compliance?
Encourages proper waste diversion and recycling.
How can AI help environmental compliance?
Detect violations, predict spills, analyze site risks
Uncovered paint drums on gravel violate what?
RCRA storage rules
The main purpose of the EPA.
Protect human health and the environment
Name one major air pollutant.
PM2.5, ozone, CO, NOx, SO₂, lead
What document prevents stormwater pollution on job sites?
SWPPP
Define “cradle-to-grave responsibility.”
Generator is responsible for hazardous waste from creation to disposal.
Who is legally responsible for cleanup costs?
Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
What is the purpose of NEPA?
Ensure environmental impacts are evaluated before action.
What happens when a facility receives a Notice of Violation (NOV)?
They face penalties and must correct noncompliance.
What is greenwashing?
Marketing something as eco-friendly when it is not.
Why are digital tools important?
They support transparency and enforcement.
Community near landfill reports respiratory illness — what issue is present?
Environmental Justice (EJ)
Two tools the EPA uses to monitor compliance.
ECHO and Envirofacts
Name one air pollution control device.
Scrubber, baghouse, catalytic converter
What is the purpose of the Clean Water Act?
Protect water quality from pollutant discharges.
What document tracks hazardous waste transport?
Waste Manifest
What CFR contains CERCLA regulations?
40 CFR 300
What triggers an EIS?
Significant environmental impact by a federal action
What factors influence penalty calculations?
Severity, duration, negligence, and potential harm.
What is sustainability?
Long-term environmental responsibility and resource efficiency.
What does ECHO provide?
Facility compliance history and inspection records.
Company hides a violation while claiming sustainability — what issue?
Ethics violation / greenwashing
EPA Region 7 includes KS, MO, IA, and what other state?
Nebraska
What happens if a plant fails to file its emissions report?
CAA violation and penalties.
Which CFR contains NPDES rules?
40 CFR 122
What does waste code D001 mean?
Ignitable waste
What triggers CERCLA involvement?
Buried drums, leaks, spills, unknown waste sources
What CFR contains NEPA procedures?
40 CFR 1500–1508
What is an inspection report?
Documentation of findings from an EPA/state inspection.
Why does sustainability build public trust?
It shows transparency and ethical practices.
What does Envirofacts provide?
Environmental data by location (air, water, waste).
Incomplete hazardous waste manifests violate which CFR?
40 CFR 262 (RCRA generator rules)
This term means following environmental rules and laws
Environmental Compliance
Which CFR range contains CAA regulations?
40 CFR 50–99
What program regulates stormwater runoff from landfills?
NPDES stormwater permitting
Name one common RCRA violation.
Open containers, unlabeled drums, incompatible storage
What agency should be notified for buried leaking drums?
EPA Region 7 and state agency (KDHE or MO DNR)
What is one required element of an EIS?
Alternatives analysis, environmental impacts, mitigation
What should you do if told to ignore a violation?
Follow the law, document, report, and escalate.
Name one LEED construction waste goal.
Divert materials from landfills through recycling.
How might AI help future construction sites?
Automated monitoring, drone data, real-time alerts.
Buried leaking drums found during excavation — what must you do?
Stop work, secure area, notify EPA/state, follow CERCLA & RCRA.