The land spreading criteria for wastes high in cadmium and PCBs are designed to protect which resource?

• A. Groundwater
• B. Surface water
• C. Air quality
• D. Soil quality

Answer: (A)

Groundwater protection is the main objective here. When wastes high in cadmium and PCBs are spread on land, contaminants can move downward through the soil with percolating water and reach groundwater. Groundwater is a major drinking-water source; once contaminated, it’s very hard to clean up. Cadmium is a toxic metal that can be mobilized in soil water, especially under certain pH conditions, and PCBs are persistent organic contaminants that, even though they tend to stick to soil, can still leach into groundwater. So the land-spreading criteria are designed to limit how much of these substances can be applied and to account for soil properties and depth to groundwater, reducing the risk of groundwater contamination. While surface water and air can be affected via other pathways, the rules focus on preventing groundwater pollution.