Question 1

In the U.S.,about ____ of liquid hazardous wastes is disposed of by deep-well injection.

Accepted Answer

According to the EPA, approximately 54% of liquid hazardous wastes are disposed of by deep-well injection in the U.S. This method involves injecting the waste deep below the surface into porous rock formations. However, this method has been criticized for the potential of contaminating groundwater sources.

Question 2

Which of the following principles does not contribute to a transition to a low-waste society?

Accepted Answer

Economic growth and free markets often prioritize profit over environmental concerns and can lead to increased waste production. Therefore, this principle does not contribute to a transition to a low-waste society.

Question 3

Which of the following statements about disposal of hazardous wastes is false?

Accepted Answer

Most legal U.S. exports of hazardous waste do not go to Argentina and Panama. In fact, the majority of legal exports go to Canada, Mexico, and Germany.

Question 4

To minimize passing our environmental problems on to future generations,citizens could

Accepted Answer

All of the given choices are effective and complementary ways of minimizing our environmental problems and reducing our impact on the planet. Pollution prevention can help prevent environmental damage, waste reduction can reduce the amount of materials that end up in landfills or polluting our environment, and reusing materials helps preserve natural resources and reduce energy consumption. Therefore, a combination of these strategies is crucial for promoting sustainability and protecting our environment for future generations.

Question 5

Which country,by 2009,has not ratified the agreement to ban or phase out use and stock piling of 12 persistent organic chemicals?

Accepted Answer

As of 2009, the United States had not ratified the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which aims to eliminate or restrict the use and disposal of twelve highly hazardous chemicals. Other countries, including Canada, Sweden, Mexico, and Brazil, had all ratified the treaty by that time.

Question 6

All of the following are called for by the grassroots movement for environmental justice except

Accepted Answer

NIMBY is not called for by the grassroots movement for environmental justice. The movement focuses on protection from environmental hazards for all communities, not just those who are able to keep hazardous facilities out of their own neighborhoods (NIMBY).

Question 7

Tokyo,Japan,is the only hypercity so far with more than 20 million people.

Accepted Answer

Tokyo, Japan is the only city in the world with a population of more than 20 million people. It is classified as a hypercity due to its extremely high population density and urbanization.

Question 8

Urban growth in much faster in developed countries than less developed countries.

Accepted Answer

This statement is actually false. Urban growth may be happening quickly in developed countries, but it is also happening rapidly in many developing countries. In fact, the majority of the world's urban population growth is occurring in less developed countries.

Question 9

In 2002,the parliament of which country enacted a law that by 2020 will ban all chemicals that are persistent and can bioaccumulate in living tissue?

Accepted Answer

The law described in the question is known as the Swedish Chemicals Agency's (KEMI) "Strategy for a Non-Toxic Environment 2020", which was enacted by the parliament of Sweden in 2002. This law aims to ban all chemicals that are persistent and can bioaccumulate in living tissue by the year 2020. Therefore, the correct choice is Sweden (D).

Question 10

Hazardous waste deposited in ponds or lagoons

Accepted Answer

Hazardous waste deposited in ponds or lagoons may promote smog formation, as well as evaporate into the atmosphere. Additionally, if there are no liners or if liners leak, hazardous waste can enter the groundwater. Therefore, all of these answers are correct.

Question 11

The majority of megalopolises are in more developed countries.

Accepted Answer

Most megalopolises are found in less developed countries, particularly in Asia, due to rapid urbanization and population growth.

Question 12

The real cost of dumping hazardous wastes is borne by

Accepted Answer

The real cost of dumping hazardous wastes is borne by the people whose health is affected by waste disposal. The toxic chemicals and pollutants released into the environment can cause serious health problems for nearby communities, including cancer, birth defects, and respiratory illnesses. These health impacts can result in increased healthcare costs, lost productivity, and a diminished quality of life for affected individuals and their families. Additionally, clean-up and remediation efforts can be expensive and may require government intervention and taxpayer funding. While producers and disposers of hazardous waste may face fines and legal repercussions for improper disposal, the ultimate cost is borne by the people and communities affected by the contamination.

Question 13

The list of persistent organic chemicals (POPs)does not include which of the following chemicals?

Accepted Answer

CH4 is methane, a simple hydrocarbon and not a persistent organic chemical (POPs). The rest of the options (B, C, D, E) are all POPs commonly found in the environment and known for their harmful effects on human health and the environment.

Question 14

The governments of Norway,Austria,and the Netherlands have committed themselves to reducing their resource waste by

Accepted Answer

These countries have set ambitious targets to reduce resource waste by 75% as part of their sustainability and environmental protection efforts.

Question 15

Hazardous wastes produced in the United States are least likely to be disposed of by

Accepted Answer

State-of-the-art landfills are designed specifically to handle hazardous wastes and have multiple layers of protection to prevent them from contaminating the surrounding environment. Deep-well injection, surface impoundments, above-ground storage, and storage in glass, cement or ceramic containers all have significant risks of leakage and contamination.

Question 16

In 1989,the Basel Convention banned participating developed countries from shipping hazardous wastes to or through other countries without their permission.By 2009,which country has not ratified this agreement?

Accepted Answer

The United States is the only developed country that has not ratified the Basel Convention.

Question 17

Worldwide,there are 18 megacities or megalopolises with more than 10 million people.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. There are currently 18 megacities in the world with a population of over 10 million people, including Tokyo, New York City, and Mumbai.

Question 18

The Superfund program was designed to pay for

Accepted Answer

The Superfund program, also known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), was created to address the clean up of inactive or abandoned hazardous waste dump sites.

Question 19

Enforcement of Superfund and cleanup of polluted sites has slowed because

Accepted Answer

The tax on oil and chemical companies provided funding for the Superfund program, and if it is not renewed by Congress, the program's ability to enforce and clean up polluted sites is limited. The other options are not accurate or relevant reasons for the slowdown in Superfund enforcement and cleanup.

Question 20

Individuals can reduce inputs of hazardous waste by all of the following except

Accepted Answer

Changing automobile oil and dumping it carefully in marked storm drains is not a way to reduce inputs of hazardous waste. It is actually an improper disposal method that can harm the environment and wildlife. The other choices, such as using rechargeable batteries, biodegradable cleaning products, consulting local environmental agencies for safe disposal methods, and recycling, can all help to reduce the amount of hazardous waste generated and disposed.

Quiz 13: Urbanization and Solid and Hazardous Waste