EDUCATION UPDATE EXAM
Pollution Prevention (804)
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This exam covers material presented in the two "Pollution Prevention" articles that
appeared in this and the May 1998 issues of Laboratory Medicine. To earn two CMLE credit
hours, read the articles, complete this exam form (or a photocopy), and mail it, along with
your check or money order payable to the ASCP to: ASCP, Dept 77-3462, Chicago, IL 606783462. Payment must be included with your examination in order to be processed. Sorry—
due to licensure requirements, we cannot accept fax or phone orders. After processing
this form, the ASCP will mail you a certificate of participation and the answer key. NOTE:
This examination must be received by August 31,1998, to be processed.
Credit from this exam is accepted by California, Florida, Louisiana, and other states
for relicensure of clinical laboratory personnel. The ASCP designates this exam for two
CMLE credit hours. ASCP CMLE credit hours are acceptable to meet the continuing
education requirements for the ASCP Board of Registry (BOR) Continuing Competence
Recognition Program. For information about the BOR program, call (312) 738-1336, ext
1345. If you have questions about the CE Update series, call (312) 738-1336, ext 1390.
4. Which of the following is false?
A. Cupric sulfate may be substituted for mercuric chloride in
trichrome staining in parasitology.
B. Formaldehyde can be destroyed prior to drain disposal.
C. Picric acid as a counterstain can be replaced with less
hazardous chemicals.
D. All heavy metals commonly used in biomedical laboratories
can be precipitated out of solution by raising the pH to 7.0 to 8.0.
E. Material substitution is one of the most effective means for
reducing pollution.
5. All of the following are recyclable by distillation
except
A. alcoholic formalin.
B. zinc formalin.
C. neutral buffered formalin.
D. short chain aliphatic hydrocarbon clearing agents.
E. xylene.
6. Characteristics of hazardous waste include
A. ignitability.
B. toxicity.
C. recyclability.
D. ignitability and toxicity.
E. ignitability, toxicity, and recyclability.
7. Which of the following is a false statement about
mercury?
A. Mercury and its salts must not be allowed to enter the sewer
system.
B. Mercury salts are found in Helly's, Zenker's, and B-5 fixatives.
C. Mercury fixatives can contaminate other processor fluids (ie,
alcohols and rinse waters).
D. Mercury fixatives usually cannot be replaced with nonmercury
alternatives.
E. Mercury alternatives require more time.
Multiple-Choice Questions
Indicate the correct
answer by circling
the appropriate
letter for each
question.
Answers
1.
A B C D E
2.
A B C D E
3.
A B C D E
4.
A B C D E
5.
A B C D E
6.
A B C D E
7.
A B C D E
8.
A B C D E
9.
A B C D
10.
A B C D
360
Select the one correct answer to each question.
1. W h i c h of these heavy metals is not likely to be found
in a biomedical laboratory?
A. Silver
B. Cadmium
C. Mercury
D. Aluminum
E. Tungsten
2. Which is the least desirable option for pollutionprevention purposes?
A. Treatment
B. Material substitution
C. Process modification
D. Disposal
E. Technology modification
3. Which of the following is true?
A. Household bleach may be used to detoxify chromogens.
B. Alcohols contaminated with xylene are readily recyclable.
C. Recycled formalin must be assayed for formaldehyde content.
D. Small quantities of hazardous waste can be rendered harmless
by mixing with nonhazardous waste.
E. Most commercially available Harris hematoxylin contains
mercury.
LABORATORY MEDICINE
VOLUME 29, NUMBER 6
JUNE 1998
8. Which of the following can be discarded down the
sewer?
A. Neutralized acids and bases
B. Solid or viscous wastes
C. Mercury
D. Large quantities of formaldehdye
E. Xylene
9. Which of the following is false?
A. Major areas of opportunity for reducing chemical discharges
include recycling and material substitutions.
B. Sewer use limits can be found by contacting your city's
wastewater utility.
C. Commercially available cleaning alternatives exist that do not
contain chromium.
D. EPA regulations are stricter than state and local environmental
regulations.
10. Which of the following is false?
A. Xylene substitutes do not work exactly like xylene.
B. Simple distillation is used to recycle xylene and xylene
substitutes.
C. All recycled alcohols will contain some water.
D. Household bleach should not be used to decolorize
hematoxylin.