- A
Power them on to see if they still function before disposal.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because powering on damaged equipment with leaking capacitors can cause short circuits, fires, or further leakage.
- B
Wear nitrile gloves, place the switches in a sealed bag, and label for e-waste recycling.
This is correct because gloves protect the technician, sealing prevents leaks, and labeling ensures proper hazardous waste handling.
- C
Use compressed air to blow out the leaked substance and then recycle the switches.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because blowing the substance can aerosolize it, leading to inhalation risks and spreading contamination.
- D
Dispose of the switches in the regular office recycling bin.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because leaking capacitors make the switches hazardous waste, not regular recyclables.
Quick Answer
The correct procedure is to wear nitrile gloves, place the switches in a sealed bag, and label them for e-waste recycling. This is required because leaking capacitors often contain hazardous electrolytes or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are corrosive or toxic and can cause skin burns or environmental harm if released. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your knowledge of proper e-waste disposal and safety protocols under Objective 4.4, which covers environmental impacts and recycling. A common trap is to assume you can simply throw the switches in the trash or wipe them clean, but the key is containment and labeling to comply with regulations like the WEEE Directive or RCRA. For handling leaking capacitors e-waste, remember the three-step mnemonic: Glove, Bag, Label—always protect yourself, seal the hazard, and mark it for recycling.
220-1102 Environmental Awareness and Impact Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of environmental awareness and impact. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
During a network equipment upgrade, a technician finds several old switches with visibly leaking capacitors on the circuit boards. What is the correct procedure for handling these switches?
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
Wear nitrile gloves, place the switches in a sealed bag, and label for e-waste recycling.
Leaking capacitors often contain hazardous materials such as electrolytes or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which require special handling to prevent environmental contamination and personal injury. The correct procedure is to wear nitrile gloves (to avoid skin contact with corrosive or toxic substances), place the switches in a sealed bag to contain any leaked material, and label them for e-waste recycling, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations like the WEEE Directive or RCRA.
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.
- ✗
Power them on to see if they still function before disposal.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because powering on damaged equipment with leaking capacitors can cause short circuits, fires, or further leakage.
- ✓
Wear nitrile gloves, place the switches in a sealed bag, and label for e-waste recycling.
Why this is correct
This is correct because gloves protect the technician, sealing prevents leaks, and labeling ensures proper hazardous waste handling.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use compressed air to blow out the leaked substance and then recycle the switches.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because blowing the substance can aerosolize it, leading to inhalation risks and spreading contamination.
- ✗
Dispose of the switches in the regular office recycling bin.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because leaking capacitors make the switches hazardous waste, not regular recyclables.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that visibly damaged equipment can be safely tested or cleaned with common tools, when in fact hazardous material protocols require containment and professional e-waste disposal without powering on or disturbing the leak.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Capacitors in network switches often use aluminum electrolytic construction, which contains a liquid electrolyte that can leak due to age, heat, or manufacturing defects. This electrolyte is typically corrosive and may contain boric acid or ethylene glycol, and in older equipment, PCBs (banned under the Stockholm Convention) could be present. Proper e-waste recycling ensures these materials are neutralized or reclaimed, preventing soil and water contamination, and is mandated by regulations such as the EU WEEE Directive or U.S. EPA hazardous waste rules.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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.
- →
Environmental Awareness and Impact — study guide chapter
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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: Wear nitrile gloves, place the switches in a sealed bag, and label for e-waste recycling. — Leaking capacitors often contain hazardous materials such as electrolytes or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which require special handling to prevent environmental contamination and personal injury. The correct procedure is to wear nitrile gloves (to avoid skin contact with corrosive or toxic substances), place the switches in a sealed bag to contain any leaked material, and label them for e-waste recycling, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations like the WEEE Directive or RCRA.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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