ENVR ENG 3200 Exam 1 Questions with Correct Answers
What is environmental engineering? - Answers Mitigate, minimize, and alleviate the impacts of
human actions on the environment.
How does environmental engineering protect human health? - Answers Ensuring an ample
supply of potable water (storm water management, water treatment), managing pollution in air,
soil, and water (clean contaminants, emissions), and managing waste in a sustainable manner
(provide long-term benefits)
What is the origin of disease? - Answers Pathogenic organisms (like bacteria) within an infected
host can be excreted in waste and others exposed to this waste can be infected.
Relied on the work of John Snow in the mid-19th century
1854 London Cholera Outbreak - Answers Determined disease occurred due to exposure to
improperly stored human waste
Early efforts of environmental ("sanitary") engineers were devoted to: - Answers 1. Manage
human/animal waste to prevent disease transmission --> wastewater collection/treatment
2. Purification of drinking water --> drinking water treatment
The Donora Episode of 1948 - Answers Air emissions were not controlled affecting approx.
14,000 residents on the Monongahela River caused by a zinc plant, steel and wire making.
Unchecked emissions were favorably viewed by residents as a sign of industrial progress.
Inversion conditions developed and lasted 6 days. About half of residents became sick, 21 died.
Doctors got lost in smog treating patients door-to-door. No federal emissions control, but some
states did have guidance.
This event spurred FEDERAL interest in controlling air pollution (through media coverage)
What event led to the 1955 Clean Air Act? - Answers The Donora Episode
What are inversion conditions? - Answers A type of atmospheric condition when cold air on the
ground is trapped by hot air on top.
, Love Canal - Answers Suburb of Niagara Falls started by William T. Love. It failed due to lack of
money and poor timing (canal usage decreasing, railroad usage increasing)
Hooker chemical utilized the partially excavated canal to store industrial waste (pesticides,
chlorobenzenes, etc.) from 1942-1952
Filled it with soil and sold it to the City of Niagara Falls. The land was developed with houses, a
school, etc.
In the 1960s, residents complained about noxious gas, colored fluids, "magic pebbles," and
increased disease.
In the late 1970s, weather was wetter than normal causing the water table to rise and water to
start surfacing. This led to media attention, spurred action, and EPA investigation.
Which event led to the development of specific engineered landfills and the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)? - Answers Love Canal
Cuyahoga River, OH - Answers Discharge of untreated wastewater resulted in laws such as the
Clean Water Act (pollutant discharge)
Rock Flats, CO - Answers Consequence was laws dealing with proper storage of nuclear waste
Environmental engineers need to evaluate the entire system, not just an individual component.
Areas of focus include: - Answers Provision of safe, palatable, and ample water supplies
Proper disposal, treatment, reuse and recycling of wastewater and solid waste
Control of air, soil, and water pollution
Proper drainage of urban and rural areas
What is chemical fate? - Answers Where is the contaminant going? (Atmosphere, water, soil,
etc.)
What is environmental engineering? - Answers Mitigate, minimize, and alleviate the impacts of
human actions on the environment.
How does environmental engineering protect human health? - Answers Ensuring an ample
supply of potable water (storm water management, water treatment), managing pollution in air,
soil, and water (clean contaminants, emissions), and managing waste in a sustainable manner
(provide long-term benefits)
What is the origin of disease? - Answers Pathogenic organisms (like bacteria) within an infected
host can be excreted in waste and others exposed to this waste can be infected.
Relied on the work of John Snow in the mid-19th century
1854 London Cholera Outbreak - Answers Determined disease occurred due to exposure to
improperly stored human waste
Early efforts of environmental ("sanitary") engineers were devoted to: - Answers 1. Manage
human/animal waste to prevent disease transmission --> wastewater collection/treatment
2. Purification of drinking water --> drinking water treatment
The Donora Episode of 1948 - Answers Air emissions were not controlled affecting approx.
14,000 residents on the Monongahela River caused by a zinc plant, steel and wire making.
Unchecked emissions were favorably viewed by residents as a sign of industrial progress.
Inversion conditions developed and lasted 6 days. About half of residents became sick, 21 died.
Doctors got lost in smog treating patients door-to-door. No federal emissions control, but some
states did have guidance.
This event spurred FEDERAL interest in controlling air pollution (through media coverage)
What event led to the 1955 Clean Air Act? - Answers The Donora Episode
What are inversion conditions? - Answers A type of atmospheric condition when cold air on the
ground is trapped by hot air on top.
, Love Canal - Answers Suburb of Niagara Falls started by William T. Love. It failed due to lack of
money and poor timing (canal usage decreasing, railroad usage increasing)
Hooker chemical utilized the partially excavated canal to store industrial waste (pesticides,
chlorobenzenes, etc.) from 1942-1952
Filled it with soil and sold it to the City of Niagara Falls. The land was developed with houses, a
school, etc.
In the 1960s, residents complained about noxious gas, colored fluids, "magic pebbles," and
increased disease.
In the late 1970s, weather was wetter than normal causing the water table to rise and water to
start surfacing. This led to media attention, spurred action, and EPA investigation.
Which event led to the development of specific engineered landfills and the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)? - Answers Love Canal
Cuyahoga River, OH - Answers Discharge of untreated wastewater resulted in laws such as the
Clean Water Act (pollutant discharge)
Rock Flats, CO - Answers Consequence was laws dealing with proper storage of nuclear waste
Environmental engineers need to evaluate the entire system, not just an individual component.
Areas of focus include: - Answers Provision of safe, palatable, and ample water supplies
Proper disposal, treatment, reuse and recycling of wastewater and solid waste
Control of air, soil, and water pollution
Proper drainage of urban and rural areas
What is chemical fate? - Answers Where is the contaminant going? (Atmosphere, water, soil,
etc.)
