California ICC UST Inspector Practice Exam

Which definition is NOT consistent with California Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.7?

1. "Board" means the State Water Resources Control Board

2. "Department" means the Department of Toxic Substances Control

3. "Hazardous substance" means all liquid, solid, and gaseous substances

4. "Release" means any spilling from an underground storage tank

The correct answer is: "Hazardous substance" means all liquid, solid, and gaseous substances

The definition of "hazardous substance" in California Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.7 specifies substances that are classified as hazardous based on their potential to negatively impact human health or the environment. While the term refers to substances in various forms (liquid, solid, and gas), it is more specific than just that broad categorization. The law delineates hazardous substances based on recognized criteria, which often include factors such as toxicity, ignitability, reactivity, and corrosivity, among others. In contrast, the other definitions presented align more closely with recognized definitions found within legal texts and regulatory documents. The term "Board" is clearly defined as the State Water Resources Control Board, and the "Department" refers to the Department of Toxic Substances Control, both of which are specific regulatory bodies in California with defined roles. The definition of "release" relates specifically to any instance of a substance escaping from an underground storage tank, which is a precise description consistent with regulatory frameworks aimed at managing environmental safety. Therefore, option C does not accurately capture the specific, regulatory definition of "hazardous substance" as laid out in the code and is therefore the correct answer to identify as inconsistent with Chapter 6.7.