Protecting Our Environment

What is environmental management?

• AManaging only outdoor areas
• BSystematic approach to preventing pollution and reducing environmental harm✓
• CCleaning up after incidents
• DOnly recycling

Answer: Environmental management includes preventing pollution, managing waste, reducing emissions, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

What is the Environmental Protection Act?

• AA US law only
• BUK legislation requiring responsible waste management and pollution prevention✓
• CA business policy
• DVoluntary guidelines

Answer: The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (and subsequent amendments) forms the basis for UK environmental law.

What are the main environmental hazards from workplaces?

• AOnly waste
• BWaste, emissions to air and water, chemical spills, and resource depletion✓
• COnly noise
• DNothing significant

Answer: Workplace environmental impacts include waste generation, air pollution, water contamination, hazardous substance release, and resource consumption.

What is hazardous waste?

• AWaste that smells bad
• BWaste containing substances that threaten human health or the environment✓
• CAll industrial waste
• DOnly sharps

Answer: Hazardous waste includes chemical, biological, or radioactive materials requiring special handling and disposal.

What is the waste hierarchy?

• ALarge waste → small waste
• BPrevent, reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, dispose✓
• COnly disposal
• DNo hierarchy exists

Answer: The waste hierarchy prioritizes prevention first, then reduction, reuse, and recycling, with disposal as the last option.

Why is waste prevention preferred over disposal?

• AIt's not preferred
• BIt eliminates the need for treatment and disposal, saving cost and resources✓
• CDisposal is cheaper
• DNo difference

Answer: Preventing waste generation is most effective as it eliminates the need for costly treatment, storage, and disposal.

What are emissions in the environmental context?

• APayment plans
• BReleases to air, water, or soil of substances that may harm the environment✓
• COnly vehicle exhaust
• DNoise only

Answer: Emissions include gases, particulates, liquids, and other substances released to the atmosphere, water, or land.

What is air quality and why does it matter?

• AIrrelevant
• BThe presence of pollutants in air affecting health and ecosystems✓
• COnly indoor
• DControlled naturally

Answer: Air quality affects respiratory health, ecosystems, and climate. Workplace emissions contribute to overall air quality.

What are sources of workplace air pollution?

• ANone significant
• BVehicle exhaust, dust, chemical vapors, and combustion products✓
• COnly vehicles
• DNatural sources only

Answer: Workplaces emit particulates, gases, and vapors from processes, vehicles, and equipment that can harm indoor and outdoor air quality.

What causes water pollution from workplaces?

• ANothing
• BChemical spills, poor waste management, and discharge of untreated effluent✓
• COnly rainfall
• DNatural processes

Answer: Workplace activities can pollute water through chemical leaks, inadequate spill containment, and discharge of untreated waste.

What is sustainability in business?

• AOnly a marketing term
• BMeeting current needs without harming environment or compromising future generations✓
• CHigh profit only
• DIrrelevant

Answer: Sustainability balances environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic viability.

What is a carbon footprint?

• AA physical mark
• BThe total greenhouse gas emissions from business activities✓
• COnly from vehicles
• DNot measurable

Answer: Carbon footprint measures GHG emissions from energy use, transport, waste, and materials.