What specifies Reportable Quantities (RQs)?

The correct choice regarding Reportable Quantities (RQs) is specified in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). CERCLA, also known as Superfund, was enacted to facilitate the cleanup of hazardous waste sites and to respond to environmental emergencies. It establishes definitions and requirements related to hazardous substances, including the identification of their reportable quantities.

Under CERCLA, RQs are critical for determining when a release of hazardous substances must be reported to authorities, ensuring timely responses to prevent or mitigate environmental contamination. This is essential for public health and safety, as well as for the protection of the environment.

The other options refer to different environmental laws: the Clean Air Act (CAA) pertains to air quality standards and pollution control, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) deals with the management of hazardous waste, and the Clean Water Act (CWA) governs water pollution. While all these laws play important roles in environmental protection, CERCLA specifically lays out the framework for RQs related to hazardous substances.