Question 382 of 750

Environmental Awareness and Impact →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct answer is to place the leaking power supply in an anti-static bag, seal it, and label it as hazardous e-waste. This is because the brown, oily substance leaking from a failing power supply typically comes from swollen or ruptured capacitors, which contain toxic materials like lead, cadmium, and electrolyte fluids, making it hazardous e-waste that must be handled according to environmental regulations such as the RCRA. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your knowledge of proper disposal procedures for hazardous components, often appearing as a safety and environmental compliance question where the common trap is to simply throw it in the trash or recycle it without containment. Remember the key steps: bag it, seal it, label it—think of the mnemonic "Bag, Seal, Label" to avoid short circuits during transport and ensure regulatory compliance.

220-1202 Environmental Awareness and Impact Practice Question

This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of environmental awareness and impact. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.

A customer complains that their computer emits a strong chemical smell and is unusually hot. After inspection, you find the power supply is failing and leaking a brown, oily substance. How should you handle the power supply disposal?

Question 1mediummultiple choice

Full question →

A
Place the power supply in a standard trash bag and throw it in the dumpster.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the leaking fluid may be toxic, and improper disposal can contaminate soil and water.
B
Put the power supply in an anti-static bag, seal it, and label it as hazardous e-waste.
This is correct because the anti-static bag prevents further leakage, and labeling ensures it is handled appropriately by recycling facilities.
C
Clean the power supply with isopropyl alcohol and then recycle it normally.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because cleaning does not neutralize the hazardous materials, and normal recycling may not accept leaking components.
D
Disassemble the power supply to remove the leaking capacitor and then dispose of the rest.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because disassembly without proper training can expose the technician to toxic chemicals and electrical hazards.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

Put the power supply in an anti-static bag, seal it, and label it as hazardous e-waste.

Option B is correct because a failing power supply leaking a brown, oily substance (typically from swollen or ruptured capacitors) is classified as hazardous e-waste due to toxic materials like lead, cadmium, and electrolyte fluids. Placing it in an anti-static bag prevents short circuits during transport, and labeling it as hazardous ensures proper disposal per environmental regulations such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) or local e-waste directives.

Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
Place the power supply in a standard trash bag and throw it in the dumpster.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the leaking fluid may be toxic, and improper disposal can contaminate soil and water.
✓
Put the power supply in an anti-static bag, seal it, and label it as hazardous e-waste.
Why this is correct
This is correct because the anti-static bag prevents further leakage, and labeling ensures it is handled appropriately by recycling facilities.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Clean the power supply with isopropyl alcohol and then recycle it normally.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because cleaning does not neutralize the hazardous materials, and normal recycling may not accept leaking components.
✗
Disassemble the power supply to remove the leaking capacitor and then dispose of the rest.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because disassembly without proper training can expose the technician to toxic chemicals and electrical hazards.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

CompTIA often tests the misconception that cleaning or disassembling e-waste makes it safe for normal disposal, when in fact any leaking or damaged power supply must be treated as hazardous e-waste and never opened by a technician.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Power supply capacitors often use aluminum electrolytic designs that can leak conductive, corrosive electrolyte when they overheat or fail. This electrolyte can be flammable and may contain boric acid or ethylene glycol, while the circuit board and solder contain lead and other restricted substances under RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances). In real-world scenarios, improper disposal can lead to fines under the EPA's hazardous waste regulations or similar local laws, and the anti-static bag is critical because a charged capacitor can discharge through the bag's conductive layer, preventing accidental shorts that could ignite leaked fluids.

KKey Concepts to Remember

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.

TExam Day Tips

Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.

Key takeaway

Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Real-world example

How this comes up in practice

A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

Related 220-1202 practice-question pages

Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.

Windows OS Features and Tools practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows OS Features and Tools.

Windows Settings and Control Panel practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Settings and Control Panel.

Windows Command-Line Tools practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Command-Line Tools.

Windows Administrative Tools practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Administrative Tools.

macOS Features and Tools practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to macOS Features and Tools.

Linux Commands and File Permissions practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Linux Commands and File Permissions.

Mobile OS Features and Tools practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Mobile OS Features and Tools.

Virtualization and Cloud Technologies practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Virtualization and Cloud Technologies.

Physical Security Controls practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Physical Security Controls.

Logical Security Concepts practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Logical Security Concepts.

Wireless Security Protocols practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Wireless Security Protocols.

Malware Types and Removal practice questions

Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Malware Types and Removal.

Practice this exam

Start a free 220-1202 practice session

Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.

10 questions 20 questions 30 questions 50 questions Timed 30

220-1202 practice-test guide →Study guide →Browse all practice tests

FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 220-1202 question test?

Environmental Awareness and Impact — This question tests Environmental Awareness and Impact — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Put the power supply in an anti-static bag, seal it, and label it as hazardous e-waste. — Option B is correct because a failing power supply leaking a brown, oily substance (typically from swollen or ruptured capacitors) is classified as hazardous e-waste due to toxic materials like lead, cadmium, and electrolyte fluids. Placing it in an anti-static bag prevents short circuits during transport, and labeling it as hazardous ensures proper disposal per environmental regulations such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) or local e-waste directives.

What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

About these practice questions

Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →

How Courseiva writes practice questions · Editorial policy

Same concept, more angles

1 more ways this is tested on 220-1202

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. A technician is tasked with replacing a failed power supply in a desktop computer. The old power supply is labeled with a RoHS compliance mark. How should the technician handle the old unit?

medium

A.Place it in the regular trash because RoHS means it's non-hazardous.
✓ B.Return it to the manufacturer for recycling or dispose of it through a certified e-waste recycler.
C.Sell it as scrap metal.
D.Store it indefinitely in case it is needed later.

Why B: The RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliance mark indicates the power supply was manufactured without certain hazardous materials, but it does not make the unit non-hazardous for disposal. Electronic waste (e-waste) like power supplies still contains materials such as lead solder, capacitors, and other components that require proper handling. The correct procedure is to return it to the manufacturer for recycling or dispose of it through a certified e-waste recycler to comply with environmental regulations and avoid legal penalties.

Keep practising

Question Discussion

Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.

Loading comments…

This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.