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LA COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN
WRITTEN EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) Q&A 2026
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1. What is the primary purpose of a chain of custody form? A. To record field measurements B. To document sample handling and transfer C. To list required lab tests D. To schedule field crews Rationale: Ensures integrity and traceability of samples. 2. Which pH value is considered neutral? A. 1 B. 7 C. 7 D. 14 Rationale: pH 7 indicates neutral water. 3. What type of hazard does a “Biohazard” sign indicate? A. Chemical burns B. Fire risk C. Biological contamination
D. Radiation Rationale: Biohazard warnings relate to pathogens or biological risk.
4. What instrument is commonly used to measure dissolved oxygen in water? A. pH meter B. Turbidity meter C. Dissolved oxygen meter D. Thermometer Rationale: Measures oxygen available for aquatic life. 5. What does PPE stand for? A. Procedure for Planetary Evaluation B. Personal Protective Equipment C. Protective Personnel Engagement D. Public Permit Enforcement Rationale: PPE protects workers from hazards. 6. Which regulation governs hazardous waste in the U.S.? A. Clean Water Act B. Clean Air Act C. RCRA D. CERCLA
10. Turbidity is a measure of: A. pH B. Cloudiness in water C. Temperature D. Dissolved solids Rationale: Indicates suspended particles. 11. SDS stands for: A. Safety Data Sheet B. Safety Data Sheet C. Standard Data Standard D. Sample Data Sheet Rationale: SDS provides chemical hazard info. 12. The Clean Air Act regulates: A. Soil contaminants B. Air emissions C. Drinking water D. Noise pollution Rationale: Air quality and emissions control. 13. Best Management Practices (BMPs) are used for: A. Hiring staff B. Reducing environmental impacts
C. Legal defense D. Budgeting Rationale: Minimize pollution and runoff.
14. A confined space hazard includes: A. High visibility B. Limited entry/exit C. Low temperature D. Open air Rationale: Confined spaces pose entry and ventilation risks. 15. Which is a physical water quality parameter? A. Lead concentration B. Temperature C. Bacteria count D. VOCs Rationale: Temperature is physical, others are chemical/biological. 16. Asbestos is a concern because it can cause: A. Diarrhea B. Lung disease C. Hearing loss
20. NPDES permits regulate: A. Underground wells B. Stormwater discharges C. Air emissions D. Hazardous waste transport Rationale: Controls water pollution from point sources. 21. PPE gloves protect against: A. Noise B. Chemical contact C. Radiation D. Heat only Rationale: Gloves protect hands from chemicals and irritants. 22. A “hot zone” refers to: A. Break room B. Hazardous area during an incident C. Parking lot D. Filing room Rationale: Area where hazard exposure risk is high. 23. BOD measures: A. Bulk organic density B. Biochemical oxygen demand
C. A regulatory fee D. Bacteria in soil Rationale: Indicates organic pollution in water.
24. MSDS is now called: A. SDS B. MMS C. WMS D. EHS Rationale: Updated hazard communication format. 25. Lead contamination is most associated with: A. Plastic B. Old paint and piping C. Soil nutrients D. Air humidity Rationale: Legacy sources in older infrastructure. 26. A pH below 7 is: A. Neutral B. Acidic C. Alkaline D. Safe Rationale: <7 indicates acid conditions.
A. Cost estimation B. Precision of sampling C. Equipment age D. Legal compliance Rationale: Measures consistency of results.
31. What is the main purpose of a turbidity measurement? A. Determine pH B. Assess water cloudiness C. Measure dissolved oxygen D. Identify chemical contaminants Rationale: Turbidity measures suspended particles affecting clarity. 32. VOCs stand for: A. Volatile Oxygen Compounds B. Very Organic Chemicals C. Volatile Organic Compounds D. Variable Oxidation Content Rationale: VOCs are chemicals that easily evaporate and may affect air quality. 33. Which type of waste is typically regulated under RCRA?
A. Food waste B. Hazardous chemical waste C. Yard waste D. Recyclables Rationale: RCRA governs hazardous wastes from generation to disposal.
34. The purpose of a field logbook is to: A. Store lab samples B. Document field activities and observations C. Replace SOPs D. Submit reports to management Rationale: Provides an official record of field operations. 35. Which of the following is a biological contaminant? A. Lead B. E. coli C. Nitrates D. Oil Rationale: Biological contaminants include bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. 36. Which is a common method to decontaminate equipment in the field?
C. Electrical hazard D. Soil contamination pathway Rationale: Cross-connections risk contaminating drinking water.
40. A turbidity unit is measured in: A. mg/L B. NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units) C. ppm D. mS/cm Rationale: NTU measures the scattering of light in water by particles. 41. Which parameter indicates the nutrient content of water? A. pH B. Dissolved oxygen C. Nitrate and phosphate levels D. Turbidity Rationale: Nitrates and phosphates measure nutrient pollution. 42. Which is an example of point source pollution? A. Runoff from fields B. Discharge pipe from a factory C. Airborne dust D. Oil on a road
Rationale: Point sources are single, identifiable sources of pollution.
43. PPE for chemical exposure should include: A. Sunglasses B. Gloves, goggles, and apron C. Hard hat only D. Earplugs Rationale: Proper PPE protects skin, eyes, and body from hazardous chemicals. 44. Which waterborne pathogen is commonly monitored in recreational water? A. Salmonella B. E. coli C. Lead D. Mercury Rationale: E. coli indicates fecal contamination and health risk. 45. What is the function of a sedimentation basin? A. Measure pH B. Allow solids to settle out of water C. Kill bacteria
C. Limited entry and poor airflow D. Clear lighting Rationale: Confined spaces are enclosed and may pose atmospheric hazards.
49. Which type of water sample requires immediate chilling after collection? A. Turbidity sample B. pH sample C. Microbiological sample D. Color sample Rationale: Chilling slows microbial growth to preserve integrity. 50. Which is a common source of lead in urban water systems? A. PVC pipes B. Aluminum fixtures C. Old lead pipes and solder D. Stainless steel Rationale: Lead pipes or soldered joints can leach lead into water. 51. Which of the following best describes a BMP for erosion control?
A. Waste segregation B. Silt fences and vegetation cover C. Air monitoring D. PPE usage Rationale: Controls soil erosion and sediment runoff.
52. What is the main purpose of water aeration? A. Lower pH B. Increase dissolved oxygen C. Remove chlorine D. Reduce turbidity Rationale: Oxygenation supports aquatic life and improves water quality. 53. Which is a chemical indicator of contamination in water? A. pH B. Nitrate concentration C. Turbidity D. Temperature Rationale: Nitrates indicate agricultural or sewage contamination. 54. When collecting a water sample, you should avoid:
57. Which type of sample bottle is used for heavy metals analysis? A. Plastic without preservative B. Glass with EDTA C. Acid-washed bottle D. Paper container Rationale: Acid-washed bottles prevent contamination of metal samples. 58. Which is a common chemical disinfectant for water? A. Fluoride B. Chlorine C. Sodium nitrate D. Sulfuric acid Rationale: Chlorine kills bacteria and viruses in drinking water. 59. What is a potential effect of high turbidity in water? A. Reduced chemical content B. Interference with disinfection and aquatic life C. Higher oxygen levels D. Lower temperature Rationale: Turbidity protects pathogens from disinfection and reduces light penetration.
60. The term “LOD” in laboratory analysis stands for: A. Level of Disinfection B. Limit of Detection C. Loss of Data D. Laboratory Operational Directive Rationale: LOD is the smallest quantity a method can reliably detect. 61. What is the primary function of a chain of custody in sampling? A. Track lab equipment B. Ensure sample integrity from collection to analysis C. Record employee hours D. Control water flow Rationale: Maintains legal and scientific validity of samples. 62. Which of the following is an example of non-point source pollution? A. Stormwater runoff from agricultural fields B. Factory wastewater pipe C. Oil spill from a tanker D. Septic tank discharge Rationale: Non-point sources are diffuse and not from a single source. Answer: A
