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ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
CERTIFICATION EXAM|QUESTION AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE|GRADED
A+|100% CORRECT|2026 UPDATE
Q1. The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the EPA to set National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for which of the
following?
A) Carbon dioxide and methane only
B) Six criteria pollutants: ozone, particulate matter, carbon
monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, lead
C) All volatile organic compounds
D) Greenhouse gases only
Answer: B
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Rationale: The CAA requires NAAQS for six criteria pollutants:
ground-level ozone (O₃), particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀),
carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide
(SO₂), and lead (Pb). Greenhouse gases are regulated under
other CAA provisions (e.g., Endangerment Finding) but not as
criteria pollutants.
Q2. A facility that emits hazardous air pollutants (HAPs)
above certain thresholds must comply with which CAA
program?
A) New Source Review (NSR)
B) Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards
C) Acid Rain Program
D) Renewable Fuel Standard
Answer: B
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Rationale: MACT standards under CAA Section 112 require
major sources of HAPs (e.g., benzene, mercury, asbestos) to
apply the maximum achievable control technology. NSR applies
to new/modified sources of criteria pollutants.
Q3. What is the primary purpose of Title V operating permits
under the CAA?
A) To allow unlimited emissions for a fee
B) To consolidate all CAA requirements into a single, enforceable
permit for major sources
C) To exempt small businesses from air regulations
D) To authorize emissions trading without limits
Answer: B
Rationale: Title V permits (also called Part 70 permits) require
major air pollution sources to consolidate all applicable CAA
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requirements (emission limits, monitoring, reporting) into one
permit that is enforceable by EPA, states, and citizens.
Q4. (Scenario) Your manufacturing plant proposes a major
expansion that will increase CO emissions by 50 tons per
year. Your state is in attainment for CO. Which CAA program
applies?
A) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)
B) Non-attainment New Source Review (NNSR)
C) Title V only
D) No review required
Answer: A
Rationale: PSD applies to major sources in attainment areas. For
CO, the PSD major source threshold is 100 tons/year (or 250
tons/year for some source categories). A 50-ton increase may
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
CERTIFICATION EXAM|QUESTION AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE|GRADED
A+|100% CORRECT|2026 UPDATE
Q1. The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the EPA to set National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for which of the
following?
A) Carbon dioxide and methane only
B) Six criteria pollutants: ozone, particulate matter, carbon
monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, lead
C) All volatile organic compounds
D) Greenhouse gases only
Answer: B
,Page 2 of 160
Rationale: The CAA requires NAAQS for six criteria pollutants:
ground-level ozone (O₃), particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀),
carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide
(SO₂), and lead (Pb). Greenhouse gases are regulated under
other CAA provisions (e.g., Endangerment Finding) but not as
criteria pollutants.
Q2. A facility that emits hazardous air pollutants (HAPs)
above certain thresholds must comply with which CAA
program?
A) New Source Review (NSR)
B) Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards
C) Acid Rain Program
D) Renewable Fuel Standard
Answer: B
,Page 3 of 160
Rationale: MACT standards under CAA Section 112 require
major sources of HAPs (e.g., benzene, mercury, asbestos) to
apply the maximum achievable control technology. NSR applies
to new/modified sources of criteria pollutants.
Q3. What is the primary purpose of Title V operating permits
under the CAA?
A) To allow unlimited emissions for a fee
B) To consolidate all CAA requirements into a single, enforceable
permit for major sources
C) To exempt small businesses from air regulations
D) To authorize emissions trading without limits
Answer: B
Rationale: Title V permits (also called Part 70 permits) require
major air pollution sources to consolidate all applicable CAA
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requirements (emission limits, monitoring, reporting) into one
permit that is enforceable by EPA, states, and citizens.
Q4. (Scenario) Your manufacturing plant proposes a major
expansion that will increase CO emissions by 50 tons per
year. Your state is in attainment for CO. Which CAA program
applies?
A) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)
B) Non-attainment New Source Review (NNSR)
C) Title V only
D) No review required
Answer: A
Rationale: PSD applies to major sources in attainment areas. For
CO, the PSD major source threshold is 100 tons/year (or 250
tons/year for some source categories). A 50-ton increase may
