Hazardous Waste Management Questions and Answers – Hazard Identification

This set of Hazardous Waste Management Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on
“Hazard Identification”.

1. What is the main purpose of hazard identification?

a) To minimise the effect of a consequence
b) For better risk management
c) To characterize adverse effect of toxins
d) To reduce probability of occurrence
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Hazard identification is the first step in risk assessment. The goal is to understand the
concentration of toxins, spatial distribution and there movement.

2. The ____________ process determines whether exposure to a chemical can increase the incidence of
adverse health effect.
a) Hazard identification
b) Exposure assessment
c) Toxicity assessment
d) Risk characterization
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Hazard identification traces the path of the toxins and also determines the likelihood of
occurrence in humans.

3. Which of the following data is not required for hazard identification?

a) Land use
b) Contaminant levels
c) Affected population
d) Estimation of risk
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Estimation of risk is done at risk characterization whereas land use, contaminant level,
affected population and biota data plays a major role while identifying a hazard.

4. Hazard is defined as the probability of suffering harm or loss. True or False.

a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Risk is the probability of suffering harm whereas hazard is a potential source of harm.

5. Why does site history have to be considered for hazard identification?

a) To estimate the risk
b) To calculate carcinogenic exposure
c) To know the probable source and causes of contamination on site
d) For determination of remedial actions
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Site history provides precise information about the activities that had been carried on the
area. Most of the instance contamination is due to past activities on site.

6. What is the main objective of risk assessment?

a) To evaluate hazard and minimize the risks
b) Remediation of contaminated sites
c) Hazard management
d) To know source of pollutants
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Risk assessment helps to understand possible problems and provides alternatives as well as
control measures to reduce the accident.

7. What is the first stage of risk assessment?

a) Exposure assessment
b) Hazard identification
c) Toxicity study
d) Risk characterisation
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Hazard identification is the first stage of risk assessment. It provides clear understanding
about chemical contaminants, their concentration and distribution in environment.

8. An incident can be called hazardous only when

a) Stressor has the potential to cause harm to humans and ecological systems
b) Poses threat to surrounding
c) Monitoring is failed
d) Outburst of chemicals
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: An incident is called hazardous only when the contaminant poses threat to humans and
ecological systems which may results catastrophic.

9. The purpose of risk management is to identify potential problems before they occur so that risk-
handling activities may be planned. True or False
a) False
b) True
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: The main goal of risk management is to reduce the threats from an activity so that harm to
the surrounding is minimized.

10. Hazard identification mainly focus on

a) Chemical source and concentration
b) Chemical exposure
c) Chemical analysis
d) Chemical pathway
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The main aim of hazard identification is to identify chemical source, concentration and its
movement in environment.