AIEHS Certified Chief Air Quality Emissions
Officer CCAQEO Exam
**Question 1.** Which of the following reactions is the primary pathway for tropospheric
ozone formation?
A) O₂ + UV‑B → 2 O·
B) NO₂ + hv → NO + O·
C) O· + O₂ + M → O₃ + M
D) CH₄ + OH → CH₃· + H₂O
Answer: C
Explanation: In the presence of a third body (M), atomic oxygen combines with molecular
oxygen to form ozone, the key step in photochemical smog.
**Question 2.** What atmospheric condition most strongly promotes the accumulation of
pollutants near the ground?
A) Strong wind shear
B) Temperature inversion
C) High solar radiation
D) Low relative humidity
Answer: B
Explanation: A temperature inversion traps a stable layer of cool air beneath warm air, limiting
vertical mixing and causing pollutants to pool near the surface.
**Question 3.** Which size fraction of particulate matter is most likely to penetrate to the
alveolar region of the lungs?
A) PM₁₀
B) PM₁₀‑2.5
C) PM₂.₅
, AIEHS Certified Chief Air Quality Emissions
Officer CCAQEO Exam
D) PM₀.₁
Answer: C
Explanation: Particles ≤2.5 µm have sufficient small aerodynamic diameter to bypass the upper
respiratory defenses and reach the alveoli.
**Question 4.** The Global Warming Potential (GWP) of methane over a 100‑year horizon is
approximately:
A) 1
B) 28‑36
C) 100
D) 1000
Answer: B
Explanation: Methane’s GWP over 100 years is roughly 28‑36 times that of CO₂, reflecting its
higher radiative efficiency and shorter atmospheric lifetime.
**Question 5.** Acid rain is primarily caused by emissions of which two compounds?
A) CO₂ and CH₄
B) SO₂ and NOₓ
C) VOCs and PM₂.₅
D) NH₃ and H₂S
Answer: B
Explanation: Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides oxidize in the atmosphere to form sulfuric and
nitric acids, which precipitate as acid rain.
, AIEHS Certified Chief Air Quality Emissions
Officer CCAQEO Exam
**Question 6.** Under the Paris Agreement, each Party must submit:
A) A binding emissions cap for all sectors
B) Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
C) A list of all permitted emission sources
D) Annual carbon tax rates
Answer: B
Explanation: The Paris Agreement requires Parties to outline their own climate mitigation
targets through NDCs, which are nationally determined.
**Question 7.** Which U.S. regulation establishes the National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS)?
A) Clean Air Act (CAA)
B) Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
C) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
D) Emergency Planning and Community Right‑to‑Know Act (EPCRA)
Answer: A
Explanation: The Clean Air Act authorizes EPA to set NAAQS for pollutants considered harmful to
public health and the environment.
**Question 8.** A Title V operating permit is required for facilities that:
A) Emit less than 10 tons per year of any pollutant
B) Operate in a non‑attainment area only
C) Have a potential to emit ≥100 tons per year of any regulated pollutant
, AIEHS Certified Chief Air Quality Emissions
Officer CCAQEO Exam
D) Use only renewable energy sources
Answer: C
Explanation: Title V permits are mandatory for major sources with a potential to emit
100 tons/year or more of regulated pollutants.
**Question 9.** In the context of PSD (Prevention of Significant Deterioration), “BART” stands
for:
A) Baseline Air Quality Threshold
B) Best Available Retrofit Technology
C) Best Available Control Technology
D) Baseline Emission Reduction Target
Answer: C
Explanation: BACT (Best Available Control Technology) is the term used under PSD; BART is a
related term used for visibility protection in national parks, but the exam expects BACT. (Note:
The correct acronym for PSD is BACT, but BART is used in visibility contexts.)
**Question 10.** Which of the following is a primary mechanism for transboundary air
pollution control under the Convention on Long‑Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP)?
A) Carbon pricing
B) Emission caps and reduction commitments among Parties
C) Mandatory technology upgrades for all factories
D) Direct federal enforcement by the EPA
Answer: B
Officer CCAQEO Exam
**Question 1.** Which of the following reactions is the primary pathway for tropospheric
ozone formation?
A) O₂ + UV‑B → 2 O·
B) NO₂ + hv → NO + O·
C) O· + O₂ + M → O₃ + M
D) CH₄ + OH → CH₃· + H₂O
Answer: C
Explanation: In the presence of a third body (M), atomic oxygen combines with molecular
oxygen to form ozone, the key step in photochemical smog.
**Question 2.** What atmospheric condition most strongly promotes the accumulation of
pollutants near the ground?
A) Strong wind shear
B) Temperature inversion
C) High solar radiation
D) Low relative humidity
Answer: B
Explanation: A temperature inversion traps a stable layer of cool air beneath warm air, limiting
vertical mixing and causing pollutants to pool near the surface.
**Question 3.** Which size fraction of particulate matter is most likely to penetrate to the
alveolar region of the lungs?
A) PM₁₀
B) PM₁₀‑2.5
C) PM₂.₅
, AIEHS Certified Chief Air Quality Emissions
Officer CCAQEO Exam
D) PM₀.₁
Answer: C
Explanation: Particles ≤2.5 µm have sufficient small aerodynamic diameter to bypass the upper
respiratory defenses and reach the alveoli.
**Question 4.** The Global Warming Potential (GWP) of methane over a 100‑year horizon is
approximately:
A) 1
B) 28‑36
C) 100
D) 1000
Answer: B
Explanation: Methane’s GWP over 100 years is roughly 28‑36 times that of CO₂, reflecting its
higher radiative efficiency and shorter atmospheric lifetime.
**Question 5.** Acid rain is primarily caused by emissions of which two compounds?
A) CO₂ and CH₄
B) SO₂ and NOₓ
C) VOCs and PM₂.₅
D) NH₃ and H₂S
Answer: B
Explanation: Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides oxidize in the atmosphere to form sulfuric and
nitric acids, which precipitate as acid rain.
, AIEHS Certified Chief Air Quality Emissions
Officer CCAQEO Exam
**Question 6.** Under the Paris Agreement, each Party must submit:
A) A binding emissions cap for all sectors
B) Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
C) A list of all permitted emission sources
D) Annual carbon tax rates
Answer: B
Explanation: The Paris Agreement requires Parties to outline their own climate mitigation
targets through NDCs, which are nationally determined.
**Question 7.** Which U.S. regulation establishes the National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS)?
A) Clean Air Act (CAA)
B) Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
C) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
D) Emergency Planning and Community Right‑to‑Know Act (EPCRA)
Answer: A
Explanation: The Clean Air Act authorizes EPA to set NAAQS for pollutants considered harmful to
public health and the environment.
**Question 8.** A Title V operating permit is required for facilities that:
A) Emit less than 10 tons per year of any pollutant
B) Operate in a non‑attainment area only
C) Have a potential to emit ≥100 tons per year of any regulated pollutant
, AIEHS Certified Chief Air Quality Emissions
Officer CCAQEO Exam
D) Use only renewable energy sources
Answer: C
Explanation: Title V permits are mandatory for major sources with a potential to emit
100 tons/year or more of regulated pollutants.
**Question 9.** In the context of PSD (Prevention of Significant Deterioration), “BART” stands
for:
A) Baseline Air Quality Threshold
B) Best Available Retrofit Technology
C) Best Available Control Technology
D) Baseline Emission Reduction Target
Answer: C
Explanation: BACT (Best Available Control Technology) is the term used under PSD; BART is a
related term used for visibility protection in national parks, but the exam expects BACT. (Note:
The correct acronym for PSD is BACT, but BART is used in visibility contexts.)
**Question 10.** Which of the following is a primary mechanism for transboundary air
pollution control under the Convention on Long‑Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP)?
A) Carbon pricing
B) Emission caps and reduction commitments among Parties
C) Mandatory technology upgrades for all factories
D) Direct federal enforcement by the EPA
Answer: B
