WA UST Site Assessor Exam 2023

What is the hold time for soil and preserved GW GRO samples? - ANSWER-14 days Is an ICC certification needed to install an AST? - ANSWER-No Flammability limits of gasoline - ANSWER-1.4 to 7.6% How many days do you have from a tank closure to report/provide the UST checklist to ECY? - ANSWER-30 days MTCA Method A lead CUL, soil - ANSWER-250 mg/kg MTCA Method A lead CUL, GW - ANSWER-15 ug/L Is the vadose zone saturated or unsaturated? - ANSWER-Unsaturated List in order of most mobile to least mobile: Bunker C, heating oil, diesel, gasoline - ANSWER-Gasoline, diesel, heating oil, Bunker C Is oxygenated gasoline more or less likely to dissolve in water? - ANSWER-More likely; fuel additives like MTBE are more soluble than gasoline Where to sample on dispenser? - ANSWER-2 feet below where the piping enters the UST Where to sample along piping? - ANSWER-Every 50 linear feet and along joints/elbows How many GW samples are needed after decommissioning if a release to GW is confirmed, and where relative to the tank? - ANSWER-3; 1 upgradient, 2 downgradient What vapor is an FID used to measure? - ANSWER-Methane What is a PID measuring? - ANSWER-Mixture of all volatiles What conditions might impede a PID? - ANSWER-Moisture/humidity, dust, transformers, power lines What UST capacity does not require a site assessment at closure? - ANSWER-Less than 110 gallons Purpose of a site check - ANSWER-To investigate a UST site for the presence of a release when evidence indicated that a release may have occurred Purpose of a site assessment - ANSWER-To investigate a UST site at the time of closure or change-in-service to determine if a release has occurred Site check vs. site assessment - ANSWER-A site check is an investigation of a UST site for a release when evidence indicates that one many have occurred; a site assessment determines if a release has occurred If a confirmed release is identified and reported within 24 hours, what is and is not required? - ANSWER-A site assessment is not required; a site characterization is required What is the historical date before which a UST system may have been permanently closed or abandoned that ECY may require a site assessment? - ANSWER-December 22, 1988 When should a site safety plan be developed? - ANSWER-Prior to conducting the UST site assessment What is included under "Level D" PPE? - ANSWER-Steel toe boots, cotton coveralls, hardhat, eye protection Is respiratory protection included under "Level D" PPE? - ANSWER-No Are low PID reading sufficient data to complete a site assessment? - ANSWER-No; analytical data is needed Does a split spoon require use of a drill rig? - ANSWER-Yes SM - ANSWER-Silty sand - silty sands and sand-silt mixtures Pt - ANSWER-Highly organic soil - peat, muck, etc. Is a stockpile considered an appropriate sampling location for contamination determination? - ANSWER-No Where should soil samples be collected relative to the water table? - ANSWER-At the approximate top of the water table Where should GW samples be collected relative to the water table? - ANSWER-At the soil/GW interface Why is it a bad idea to filter GW samples for petroleum hydrocarbon analysis? - ANSWER-Potential loss of COIs, loss of soluble material What is the best material for sampling devices when testing for petroleum? - ANSWER-PTFE (Teflon); also glass and stainless steel What does a "paste tape wheel" measure? - ANSWER-Free product thickness What does HCID testing provide? - ANSWER-Not a quantitative, but a qualitative detection technique for petroleum constituents What is the preferred sample container for GRO GW samples? - ANSWER-40 ml, Teflon-lined VOAs with no headspace, HCL-preserved What is the ideal sample temperature? - ANSWER-4 degrees C What is a common COI that accompanies waste oil? - ANSWER-Muriatic acid Purpose of field duplicate samples - ANSWER-To check the variability of the sampling technique and analytical test Where should the site assessor record site observations? - ANSWER-In a field notebook What needs to be recorded on the site map? - ANSWER-Sample locations, UST features. Landscape not needed If a site assessor suspects a release, how long does the owner have to notify ECY? - ANSWER-24 hours If a site assessor finds and unreported tank, how long do they have to notify ECY? - ANSWER-24 hours If a site assessor confirms a release, how long do they have to notify ECY? - ANSWER-24 hours How much advance is required to give written notice prior to conducting UST decommissioning? - ANSWER-30 days Which common VOC at petroleum sites is known to cause cancer? - ANSWER-Benzene If a site assessor confirms a release, how long do they have to provide a report to ECY? - ANSWER-72 hours from the discovery of the tank condition What is the specific gravity of most petroleum products, and why is it important? - ANSWER-Less than 1.0 (between 0.6 and 0.9); they float on water Are gasoline vapors lighter or heavier than air? - ANSWER-3 to 4x heavier; they typically occupy the lowest levels in confined spaces