Question 28 TK01 - Tank Vessel Assistant - Dangerous Liquids

The Correct Answer is C **Why option C ("sampling a harmful substance") is correct:** In the context of U.S. pollution regulations, particularly those governing oil and hazardous substances (such as the Clean Water Act, which regulates "discharges"), the term "discharge" implies the introduction, release, or spilling of a harmful substance into the environment (specifically, navigable waters or adjoining shorelines) in an unauthorized quantity. Taking a sample, which involves extracting a small, controlled amount of the substance for analysis, is a standard, authorized operational procedure. It does not constitute an unauthorized release or spillage of the substance into the environment, and thus is not classified as an illegal "discharge" event that triggers reporting and cleanup requirements under environmental law. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **A) leaking diesel fuel oil:** A leak is an unauthorized release of a harmful substance (diesel fuel oil is an oil under the CWA) into the environment, which is explicitly defined as a form of "discharge" under pollution regulations. * **B) spilling a harmful substance:** A spill is the most common example of an accidental or unauthorized release of a substance into the environment, making it a definitive form of "discharge" under U.S. pollution regulations. * **D) pumping a harmful substance:** While pumping itself is a mechanical action, if the context implies pumping the substance *into* the environment without proper authorization (e.g., pumping untreated effluent into a river), this action is considered an illegal "discharge." If the substance being pumped is hazardous or oil, and it enters regulated waters, it meets the definition of a discharge.