Ohio Environmental Field Technician
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales |2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. Which federal law primarily regulates the discharge of pollutants into U.S.
waters?
A. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
B. Clean Water Act
C. Clean Air Act
D. Safe Drinking Water Act
Rationale: The Clean Water Act (CWA) governs discharges into surface
waters and establishes water quality standards.**
2. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) deals primarily with:
A. Air quality standards
,B. Hazardous waste management
C. Drinking water protection
D. Emergency spill response
Rationale: RCRA regulates hazardous waste from generation through
disposal (“cradle to grave”).**
3. What is the main purpose of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment?
A. Identify potential environmental liabilities
B. Remediate contaminated soil
C. Monitor groundwater
D. Assess air quality
Rationale: A Phase I ESA identifies possible contamination or liability
without sampling.**
4. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) protects:
A. Surface water for irrigation
B. Public drinking water supplies
C. Industrial wastewater
D. Agricultural runoff
Rationale: The SDWA regulates quality standards for public drinking water
systems.**
5. The Clean Air Act is enforced by:
A. OSHA
B. USGS
C. EPA
,D. DOT
Rationale: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enforces Clean Air Act
standards.**
6. When collecting a groundwater sample, what type of container is typically
used for volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?
A. Plastic bottle
B. Glass jar
C. Glass vial with Teflon-lined cap
D. Metal can
Rationale: VOCs can permeate plastic; glass vials with Teflon caps prevent
contamination and vapor loss.**
7. Which instrument measures dissolved oxygen in water?
A. Turbidimeter
B. DO meter
C. pH meter
D. Conductivity meter
Rationale: A dissolved oxygen (DO) meter measures oxygen content, vital
for aquatic life assessment.**
8. The term “chain of custody” refers to:
A. Waste transportation manifests
B. Air sampling documentation
C. Documentation tracing sample possession
D. Legal ownership of property
, Rationale: Chain of custody ensures sample integrity and admissibility in
environmental investigations.**
9. What is the lower explosive limit (LEL)?
A. Temperature where combustion begins
B. Lowest concentration of gas in air capable of ignition
C. Highest concentration before explosion
D. Oxygen level required for explosion
Rationale: LEL is the minimum vapor concentration that can ignite in air.**
10. What does PPE stand for?
A. Personal Property Equipment
B. Personal Protective Equipment
C. Professional Protection Essentials
D. Public Personnel Enforcement
Rationale: PPE refers to gear like gloves, respirators, and suits used for
worker safety.**
11. Which pH value indicates neutral water?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
Rationale: A pH of 7 represents neutrality, below 7 is acidic, above 7 is
basic.**
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales |2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which federal law primarily regulates the discharge of pollutants into U.S.
waters?
A. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
B. Clean Water Act
C. Clean Air Act
D. Safe Drinking Water Act
Rationale: The Clean Water Act (CWA) governs discharges into surface
waters and establishes water quality standards.**
2. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) deals primarily with:
A. Air quality standards
,B. Hazardous waste management
C. Drinking water protection
D. Emergency spill response
Rationale: RCRA regulates hazardous waste from generation through
disposal (“cradle to grave”).**
3. What is the main purpose of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment?
A. Identify potential environmental liabilities
B. Remediate contaminated soil
C. Monitor groundwater
D. Assess air quality
Rationale: A Phase I ESA identifies possible contamination or liability
without sampling.**
4. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) protects:
A. Surface water for irrigation
B. Public drinking water supplies
C. Industrial wastewater
D. Agricultural runoff
Rationale: The SDWA regulates quality standards for public drinking water
systems.**
5. The Clean Air Act is enforced by:
A. OSHA
B. USGS
C. EPA
,D. DOT
Rationale: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enforces Clean Air Act
standards.**
6. When collecting a groundwater sample, what type of container is typically
used for volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?
A. Plastic bottle
B. Glass jar
C. Glass vial with Teflon-lined cap
D. Metal can
Rationale: VOCs can permeate plastic; glass vials with Teflon caps prevent
contamination and vapor loss.**
7. Which instrument measures dissolved oxygen in water?
A. Turbidimeter
B. DO meter
C. pH meter
D. Conductivity meter
Rationale: A dissolved oxygen (DO) meter measures oxygen content, vital
for aquatic life assessment.**
8. The term “chain of custody” refers to:
A. Waste transportation manifests
B. Air sampling documentation
C. Documentation tracing sample possession
D. Legal ownership of property
, Rationale: Chain of custody ensures sample integrity and admissibility in
environmental investigations.**
9. What is the lower explosive limit (LEL)?
A. Temperature where combustion begins
B. Lowest concentration of gas in air capable of ignition
C. Highest concentration before explosion
D. Oxygen level required for explosion
Rationale: LEL is the minimum vapor concentration that can ignite in air.**
10. What does PPE stand for?
A. Personal Property Equipment
B. Personal Protective Equipment
C. Professional Protection Essentials
D. Public Personnel Enforcement
Rationale: PPE refers to gear like gloves, respirators, and suits used for
worker safety.**
11. Which pH value indicates neutral water?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
Rationale: A pH of 7 represents neutrality, below 7 is acidic, above 7 is
basic.**
