1
NEHA/REHS PRACTICE EXAM Questions
and Answers Latest Updated 2025 TOP
RATED A+
What are the six Criteria pollutants? - Correct Answer-carbon monoxide, lead, NO2,
ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide
Hazardous air pollutants - Correct Answer-Chemicals that may increase mortality or
serious, irreversible illness. (criteria pollutants for this purpose are primarily animal or
human carcinogens, which include asbestos, benzene, beryllium, mercury,
radionuclides, and vinyl chloride)
Is indoor air quality federally regulated? - Correct Answer-No
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) - Correct Answer-Addresses the manufacturing,
processing, distribution, use, and disposal of several commercial and industrial
chemicals.
Pollution Prevention Act - Correct Answer-Makes pollution prevention a national priority
and serves as the platform to require polluters to undergo source reduction.
What are the two federal laws responsible for protecting water as an environmental
medium? What do they regulate? - Correct Answer-Clean Water Act of 1972 (CWA)
& Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
Only regulate public water.
What does MCL stand for and what contaminants have finalized MCLs for regulation? -
Correct Answer-Maximum contaminant level (MCL) is a concentration maximum for a
chemical or constituent that may not be exceeded in drinking water regulated under the
SDWA.
MCLs have been finalized for the following regulated contaminants: microorganisms,
radioactivity, a group of seven metals, a group of organic pesticides, some inorganic
anions, total haloforms, and a group of organic chemicals.
What are the two federal laws governing the regulation of present and future land
disposal practices and cleanup? What do they encompass? - Correct Answer-Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA 1976) and the Comprehensive Environmental
, 2
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). These acts encompass all
regulations for land disposal units and activities, including landfills for municipal wastes,
hazardous wastes, industrial residues, and infectious or pathologic materials. Surface
impoundments or lagoons are regulated for wastewater treatment, hazardous waste
treatment or storage, equalization basins, and storm water runoff. Also included are
waste piles and land treatment.
The __________________ regulates the levels of chemicals in food through the
authority of the ___________________. - Correct Answer-Food and Drug
Administration (FDA)
Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act
The FDA regulates the levels of chemicals in food through the authority of the Federal
Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act.
Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 - Correct Answer-This act
requires the labeling of commercially packaged food to include any of the "big eight"
allergens that may be present in food.
What are the big eight allergens? - Correct Answer-Milk, soy, eggs, wheat, finfish,
shellfish, peanuts & tree nuts
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (aka Tobacco Control Act) -
Correct Answer-Signed into law in 2009. This law granted the FDA the authority to
regulate the manufacture, distribution, and marketing of tobacco products.
Hazard - Correct Answer-Any physical, chemical, or biological property that may cause
an unacceptable consumer health risk.
Physical Hazard - Correct Answer-Items that may cause choking or injury if consumed
in food.
Chemical Hazards - Correct Answer-Elements and compounds that may cause illness
or injury if consumed in food.
These substances may be agricultural chemicals, industrial chemicals, naturally
occurring toxins, flavor enhancers or preservatives.
Allergens - Correct Answer-Any nonparasitic antigens (proteins) capable of evoking a
hypersensitive immune response in allergic individuals.
Biological contamination (hazards) - Correct Answer-Occurs when enough harmful
microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites get into food. (the cause
of most foodborne illnesses are from bacteria and viruses)
Bacteria - Correct Answer-Single-celled microorganisms found in most environments on
earth.
, 3
What does FAT TOM stand for? - Correct Answer-Food, Acidity, Time, Temperature,
Oxygen, Moisture
What are endospores? (spores) - Correct Answer-An environmentally resistant structure
that allows the bacteria to survive conditions that it might not otherwise when conditions
are not favorable to growth and reproduction.
Pathogens - Correct Answer-Bacteria that can cause illness in humans if consumed in
food.
Mesophilic pathogens - Correct Answer-Grow best at the temperature range of 79
degrees F (21 C) to 110 degrees F (43 C).
Thermophilic bacteria grow best above ________ - Correct Answer-110 degrees F (43
C)
Direct consumption of a pathogen in sufficient quantities to cause illness is referred to
an an ___________ - Correct Answer-Infection
Consuming a toxin produced in food is called _______________ - Correct Answer-
Intoxication
Toxin-mediated infection (or toxicoinfection) - Correct Answer-Occurs when a pathogen
is consumed that later produces a toxin while in the digestive system.
Fungi include _______, ________, and ____________. - Correct Answer-yeasts, molds
and mushrooms
Viruses - Correct Answer-Acellular infectious agents that lack most characteristics of
living things, reproducing only within the living cells of a host organism.
________________________________ are most susceptible to viral contamination
because they receive no further heating after being handled. - Correct Answer-Ready-
to-eat foods
Parasites (including protozoa) - Correct Answer-Unicellular or multicellular organisms
that live within another organism or host.
Foodborne parasite illnesses are caused by consuming inadequately cooked food or
contaminated drinking water.
Trichinella spiralis - Correct Answer-A roundworm present in undercooked or raw pork,
among other meats. Causes parasitic illness.
Entamoeba histolytica - Correct Answer-An amoeba found in contaminated water,
causes a condition known by many names, including traveler's diarrhea, Montezuma's
revenge, and others. Causes parasitic illness.
NEHA/REHS PRACTICE EXAM Questions
and Answers Latest Updated 2025 TOP
RATED A+
What are the six Criteria pollutants? - Correct Answer-carbon monoxide, lead, NO2,
ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide
Hazardous air pollutants - Correct Answer-Chemicals that may increase mortality or
serious, irreversible illness. (criteria pollutants for this purpose are primarily animal or
human carcinogens, which include asbestos, benzene, beryllium, mercury,
radionuclides, and vinyl chloride)
Is indoor air quality federally regulated? - Correct Answer-No
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) - Correct Answer-Addresses the manufacturing,
processing, distribution, use, and disposal of several commercial and industrial
chemicals.
Pollution Prevention Act - Correct Answer-Makes pollution prevention a national priority
and serves as the platform to require polluters to undergo source reduction.
What are the two federal laws responsible for protecting water as an environmental
medium? What do they regulate? - Correct Answer-Clean Water Act of 1972 (CWA)
& Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
Only regulate public water.
What does MCL stand for and what contaminants have finalized MCLs for regulation? -
Correct Answer-Maximum contaminant level (MCL) is a concentration maximum for a
chemical or constituent that may not be exceeded in drinking water regulated under the
SDWA.
MCLs have been finalized for the following regulated contaminants: microorganisms,
radioactivity, a group of seven metals, a group of organic pesticides, some inorganic
anions, total haloforms, and a group of organic chemicals.
What are the two federal laws governing the regulation of present and future land
disposal practices and cleanup? What do they encompass? - Correct Answer-Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA 1976) and the Comprehensive Environmental
, 2
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). These acts encompass all
regulations for land disposal units and activities, including landfills for municipal wastes,
hazardous wastes, industrial residues, and infectious or pathologic materials. Surface
impoundments or lagoons are regulated for wastewater treatment, hazardous waste
treatment or storage, equalization basins, and storm water runoff. Also included are
waste piles and land treatment.
The __________________ regulates the levels of chemicals in food through the
authority of the ___________________. - Correct Answer-Food and Drug
Administration (FDA)
Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act
The FDA regulates the levels of chemicals in food through the authority of the Federal
Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act.
Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 - Correct Answer-This act
requires the labeling of commercially packaged food to include any of the "big eight"
allergens that may be present in food.
What are the big eight allergens? - Correct Answer-Milk, soy, eggs, wheat, finfish,
shellfish, peanuts & tree nuts
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (aka Tobacco Control Act) -
Correct Answer-Signed into law in 2009. This law granted the FDA the authority to
regulate the manufacture, distribution, and marketing of tobacco products.
Hazard - Correct Answer-Any physical, chemical, or biological property that may cause
an unacceptable consumer health risk.
Physical Hazard - Correct Answer-Items that may cause choking or injury if consumed
in food.
Chemical Hazards - Correct Answer-Elements and compounds that may cause illness
or injury if consumed in food.
These substances may be agricultural chemicals, industrial chemicals, naturally
occurring toxins, flavor enhancers or preservatives.
Allergens - Correct Answer-Any nonparasitic antigens (proteins) capable of evoking a
hypersensitive immune response in allergic individuals.
Biological contamination (hazards) - Correct Answer-Occurs when enough harmful
microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites get into food. (the cause
of most foodborne illnesses are from bacteria and viruses)
Bacteria - Correct Answer-Single-celled microorganisms found in most environments on
earth.
, 3
What does FAT TOM stand for? - Correct Answer-Food, Acidity, Time, Temperature,
Oxygen, Moisture
What are endospores? (spores) - Correct Answer-An environmentally resistant structure
that allows the bacteria to survive conditions that it might not otherwise when conditions
are not favorable to growth and reproduction.
Pathogens - Correct Answer-Bacteria that can cause illness in humans if consumed in
food.
Mesophilic pathogens - Correct Answer-Grow best at the temperature range of 79
degrees F (21 C) to 110 degrees F (43 C).
Thermophilic bacteria grow best above ________ - Correct Answer-110 degrees F (43
C)
Direct consumption of a pathogen in sufficient quantities to cause illness is referred to
an an ___________ - Correct Answer-Infection
Consuming a toxin produced in food is called _______________ - Correct Answer-
Intoxication
Toxin-mediated infection (or toxicoinfection) - Correct Answer-Occurs when a pathogen
is consumed that later produces a toxin while in the digestive system.
Fungi include _______, ________, and ____________. - Correct Answer-yeasts, molds
and mushrooms
Viruses - Correct Answer-Acellular infectious agents that lack most characteristics of
living things, reproducing only within the living cells of a host organism.
________________________________ are most susceptible to viral contamination
because they receive no further heating after being handled. - Correct Answer-Ready-
to-eat foods
Parasites (including protozoa) - Correct Answer-Unicellular or multicellular organisms
that live within another organism or host.
Foodborne parasite illnesses are caused by consuming inadequately cooked food or
contaminated drinking water.
Trichinella spiralis - Correct Answer-A roundworm present in undercooked or raw pork,
among other meats. Causes parasitic illness.
Entamoeba histolytica - Correct Answer-An amoeba found in contaminated water,
causes a condition known by many names, including traveler's diarrhea, Montezuma's
revenge, and others. Causes parasitic illness.
