A shop in Iowa generates approximately 150 pounds of hazardous waste in a calendar month and never accumulates more than 1,000 kilograms on-site at any one time. Under the RCRA generator categories applicable in Iowa, which category does this facility fall into?
A. Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG), because it generates less than 100 kg (about 220 lbs) of hazardous waste per calendar month
B. Small Quantity Generator (SQG), because any regulated hazardous waste generation triggers SQG status
C. Large Quantity Generator (LQG), based on the on-site accumulation cap alone
D. The facility is entirely exempt from hazardous waste regulation because the amount is small
Source: 40 CFR § 262.13(a) (VSQG determination)
A Small Quantity Generator (SQG) in Iowa may accumulate hazardous waste on-site for up to how long before it must be shipped off-site, absent an extension?
A. 90 days only, the same as an LQG
B. 180 days (or 270 days if the waste must be transported more than 200 miles to its designated facility)
C. One full calendar year
D. There is no time limit for SQGs as long as volume stays under the SQG cap
Source: 40 CFR § 262.16(b) (SQG accumulation time)
A Large Quantity Generator (LQG) operating in Iowa accumulates hazardous waste in a central storage area on-site. What is the maximum accumulation time before the waste must be shipped off-site (absent a granted extension)?
A. 270 days
B. 180 days
C. 90 days
D. 45 days
Source: 40 CFR § 262.17(a)(1) (LQG accumulation time)
A generator in Iowa accumulates hazardous waste in a closed container at the point of generation (a satellite accumulation area) under the control of the operator. Once that container reaches 55 gallons of hazardous waste (or one quart of acutely hazardous waste), what must the generator do?
A. Immediately dispose of the waste on-site without a manifest
B. Nothing additional is required as long as the container stays labeled
C. Notify the Iowa DNR within 24 hours and request a variance
D. Mark the container with the date the 55-gallon limit was reached and move it to a central accumulation area within 3 days
Source: 40 CFR § 262.15 (satellite accumulation areas)
Which statement correctly describes Iowa's status under the federal RCRA hazardous waste program as of 2026?
A. Iowa is one of only two states (with Alaska) that has never received EPA authorization to operate its own RCRA hazardous waste program in lieu of the federal program, so EPA Region 7 directly implements and enforces the federal hazardous waste regulations in Iowa
B. Iowa received full RCRA base program authorization from EPA decades ago and has operated an independent state program ever since
C. Iowa shares RCRA authorization with Illinois under a joint interstate compact
D. Iowa's hazardous waste program is administered entirely by the Iowa Department of Agriculture, not the DNR or EPA
Source: EPA, RCRA State Authorization overview / Iowa DNR, Hazardous Waste & Contaminated Sites
