MDARD Michigan Core Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

If a spill reaches a reportable quantity, which hotline is appropriate to call?

1. MDEQ PEAS Hotline

2. National Response Center

3. Chemtrec Hotline

4. MDA Agriculture Pollution Emergency Hotline

The correct answer is: National Response Center

The National Response Center is the appropriate hotline to call when a spill reaches a reportable quantity. This center serves as the federal point of contact for reporting oil and hazardous substance releases into the environment. Reporting to the National Response Center ensures that the spill is documented and allows for coordinated response efforts at the federal level, which is crucial for managing the situation effectively. This hotline operates under the guidance of the U.S. Coast Guard and is equipped to handle various emergency scenarios, ensuring that proper federal agencies are mobilized as necessary. The reporting of spills to this center is mandated by federal laws, emphasizing its importance in the event of significant environmental threats. Other hotlines, while they serve specific purposes related to environmental or agricultural issues, are not designated for reporting spills that meet the criteria of a reportable quantity on a federal level. Each of the other hotlines may deal with particular scenarios, such as agriculture-related emergencies or chemical incidents, but the National Response Center is the central hub for hazardous material spill reporting.