Structural Pest Control Applicator Practice Exam

How should collected runoff be treated?

1. As hazardous waste

2. As surplus pesticide

3. As rinsewater

4. As regular waste

The correct answer is: As surplus pesticide

The treatment of collected runoff as surplus pesticide is vital because such runoff may contain residues or concentrations of pesticides that were applied in the area. When handling runoff, it is essential to recognize that it can still be chemically active and potentially harmful if not managed properly. If classified as surplus pesticide, the runoff would require specific handling, storage, and disposal methods according to environmental regulations and guidelines, ensuring that it does not pose a risk to the environment or human health. The other classifications would not be suitable for runoff. For instance, treating it as rinsewater implies that it is simply wastewater from cleaning equipment and would not account for pesticide residues present in the runoff. Similarly, categorizing it as regular waste underestimate its potential hazards. Lastly, treating it as hazardous waste would impose stricter regulations and is often unnecessary unless the concentration of pesticides is significantly high or it meets specific criteria for hazardous classification. This consideration emphasizes the importance of careful classification and management in preventing environmental contamination.