Free Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1An old chemical inventory identifies a solvent as benzol. Which chemical name corresponds to that synonym?

   1. A. Toluene
   2. B. Benzene
   3. C. Xylene
   4. D. Ethylbenzene

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The NIOSH Benzene entry lists "Benzol, Phenyl hydride" as synonyms. Benzol therefore identifies benzene rather than the other aromatic solvents.

   Reference: NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Benzene — Synonyms & Trade Names

2. 2A truck will carry non-bulk hazardous material drums that are not permanently attached. Which loading arrangement meets the federal movement-control requirement?

   1. A. Leave gaps so drums can slide during turns
   2. B. Secure drums against shifting and relative motion
   3. C. Rely on drum weight without evaluating movement
   4. D. Restrain only the drums next to the rear doors

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 177.834(a) requires packages to be "secured against shifting, including relative motion between packages". Securing all packages addresses transport forces; weight alone, free gaps, or securing only rear drums does not.

   Reference: 49 CFR Part 177: Carriage by Public Highway — §177.834(a)

3. 3Under federal RCRA location standards, what is the minimum separation between a new hazardous waste storage area and a fault displaced in Holocene time?

   1. A. 15 meters
   2. B. 30 meters
   3. C. 61 meters
   4. D. 100 meters

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 264.18(a)(1) says new treatment, storage, or disposal portions "must not be located within 61 meters (200 feet)" of such a fault. Smaller distances fail the minimum; 100 meters exceeds it but is not the minimum.

   Reference: 40 CFR 264.18: Location Standards — §264.18(a)(1)

4. 4A treatment facility requests a waste profile sufficient to manage an incoming hazardous waste safely and legally. What information is the essential analytical basis under 40 CFR 264.13(a)(1)?

   1. A. Only the virgin ingredient SDS, without evaluating the generated waste
   2. B. Only the transport hazard classification, without waste-property analysis
   3. C. Detailed chemical and physical analysis of representative waste
   4. D. Only a prior unrelated waste analysis selected for a similar appearance

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 264.13 requires "a detailed chemical and physical analysis of a representative sample". A virgin ingredient SDS, transport class alone, and unrelated analytical results do not establish the incoming waste’s needed management properties.

   Reference: 40 CFR 264.13: General Waste Analysis — §264.13(a)(1)

5. 5A person in charge learns that a nonexempt facility release of a CERCLA hazardous substance equals its reportable quantity within 24 hours. When must the NRC be notified?

   1. A. Within 30 days after completing cleanup
   2. B. Immediately upon knowledge of the reportable release
   3. C. At the next annual chemical inventory submission
   4. D. Only after laboratory confirmation of off-site injury

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 302.6(a) requires the person in charge to "immediately notify the National Response Center" upon knowledge of a qualifying release. Cleanup completion, annual reporting, and proof of injury do not defer that duty.

   Reference: 40 CFR 302.6: Notification Requirements — §302.6(a)

6. 6A newly assigned LQG hazardous waste employee works only under supervision pending training. What is the latest completion period for the required initial training after the applicable employment or assignment date?

   1. A. 30 days
   2. B. 90 days
   3. C. Six months
   4. D. One year

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 262.17(a)(7)(ii) requires completion "within six months". Supervision is required until completion; the allowance does not authorize unsupervised work during those months.

   Reference: 40 CFR 262.17: Large Quantity Generator Accumulation — §262.17(a)(7)(ii)

7. 7Following a benzene spill, a reliable instrument measures 2.0% benzene vapor by volume in air. Using NIOSH's 1.2% lower and 7.8% upper explosive limits, how is that concentration classified?

   1. A. Below the lower explosive limit
   2. B. Within the explosive concentration range
   3. C. Above the upper explosive limit
   4. D. Exactly at the lower explosive limit

   Answer: B

   Explanation: NIOSH lists limits of "7.8%" and "1.2%". Two percent is between them, indicating a potentially ignitable mixture rather than a concentration below, above, or exactly at a boundary.

   Reference: NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Benzene — Upper Explosive Limit and Lower Explosive Limit

8. 8A hazardous waste incinerator operates under RCRA requirements. Which statement correctly addresses air-program obligations for a combustor subject to the HWC NESHAP?

   1. A. RCRA authorization automatically replaces all applicable air standards
   2. B. Only RCRA emission limits can apply while the waste remains hazardous
   3. C. Clean Air Act hazardous-air-pollutant standards also apply
   4. D. The HWC NESHAP becomes applicable only after the RCRA permit expires

   Answer: C

   Explanation: EPA states that HWC NESHAP "implement section 112(d) of the Clean Air Act". RCRA hazardous waste management does not by itself replace the applicable CAA stack-emission requirements.

   Reference: EPA Hazardous Waste Combustors: NESHAP — Rule Summary

9. 9A purchaser seeks to satisfy CERCLA all appropriate inquiries before acquisition. Apart from the separate 180-day update requirements, what is the general maximum age of the inquiry at acquisition?

   1. A. 90 days
   2. B. 180 days
   3. C. One year
   4. D. Two years

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 312.20(a) requires AAI "within one year prior to the date of acquisition". Specified components also need 180-day updating; that separate condition does not change the general one-year inquiry window.

   Reference: 40 CFR 312.20: All Appropriate Inquiries — §312.20(a)–(b)

10. 10Soil lead at a residential play area exceeds the project's exposure benchmark. Which age group does EPA identify as particularly vulnerable to lead exposure?

    1. A. Healthy adults aged 25–35
    2. B. Healthy adults aged 35–45
    3. C. Young children
    4. D. Healthy adults aged 45–55

    Answer: C

    Explanation: EPA identifies "young children who are the most vulnerable" when discussing lead exposure. The young-child receptor therefore needs explicit consideration rather than assuming adult susceptibility adequately represents the play area's users.

    Reference: EPA Lead in Soil — How to Reduce Your Risk