This set of Pollution Control Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Effects of Air Pollutants on Human Health”.
1. Most of the effects of air pollutants on human health are known because of short term exposure.
a) True
b) False
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Explanation: Since acute effects manifest almost immediately after exposure, it is easy to pinpoint causes. On the other hand, it is hard to trace chronic effects to one contaminant. This is why the given statement is true.
2. What concentration of pollutants is the greatest threat to human health?
a) High concentrations over long periods
b) Low concentrations over long periods
c) High concentrations over short periods
d) Low concentrations over short periods
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Explanation: Low concentrations over long periods are the greatest threat to human health. Continued exposure to small concentrations makes the body used to, and adapted to the pollutant, and hence, more difficult to detect.
3. What are the two approaches to studying the chronic effects of air pollutants?
a) Epidemiology and Biological
b) Toxicology and Biological
c) Epidemiology and Toxicology
d) Biological and Physical
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Explanation: Epidemiological and Toxicological methods are used to understand the chronic effects of air pollutants. Epidemiological studies survey populations, while toxicological studies are done in labs.
4. Which of the following is not a route pollutants take to enter human bodies?
a) Through the skin
b) Through inhalation
c) Through swallowing
d) Through the ears
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Explanation: Air pollutants enter the human body via different routes. The major routes air pollutants take to enter the human body are through the eyes, nose, mouth (swallowing), skin as well as through the nose (inhalation).
5. Which of the following is the main point of entry for air pollutants?
a) Digestion
b) Respiration
c) Touch
d) Ingestion
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Explanation: Although ingestion, and subsequent digestion, are a point of entry for air pollutants into the body, it is not the primary mode. Same goes for touching. Most air pollutants enter through inhalation.
6. Particulates of what size do not make it past the nose in the respiratory system?
a) 10 microns
b) 5 microns
c) Larger than 10 microns
d) Larger than 1 micron
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Explanation: Large particulate matter is stopped in the nose. On the other hand, smaller particulates cannot be trapped here. Particulates of sizes larger than 10 microns are trapped by the hair in the nose.
7. Particles of what size do not make it past the upper respiratory tract?
a) All particles larger than 10 microns
b) All particles smaller than 10 microns
c) Between 1 and 5 microns
d) Between 5 and 10 microns
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Explanation: Particulates between sizes of 5 microns and 10 microns make it to the upper respiratory tract, but not any further. The mucus and cilia in the upper respiratory tract trap them. Particles larger than 10 microns are trapped in the nose.
8. Particulates of which size make it to the bronchioles?
a) Between 5 * 10-1 microns and 5 microns
b) Between 5 and 10 microns
c) All particles larger than 1 micron
d) All particles smaller than 10 microns
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Explanation: Particles of sizes ranging from 5 * 10-1 microns and 5 microns all make it to the bronchi and bronchioles. They get trapped by hair-like filaments in the tract, then discarded. Particles larger than 5 microns do not make it past the upper respiratory system.
9. Particulates of which sizes are of the most concern to human health?
a) All particles smaller than 0.5 microns
b) All particles smaller than 5 microns
c) All particles smaller than 10 microns
d) All particles greater than 10 microns
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Explanation: Particles smaller than 0.5 microns are of the most concern. Such fine particles reach the alveoli of the lungs where they can cause significant damage to the lungs. Particles larger than 0.5 microns are stopped by the bronchioles, upper respiratory tract, and the nose.
10. Which of the following is not a potential function of particulate matter in the respiratory system?
a) Interfere with the functioning of the system
b) They clog the system
c) Carriers of toxic gases
d) They are toxic in nature
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Explanation: Either particulate matter that enters the human body is toxic by itself if it carries gases that have toxic effects on the human body. These particulates may also interfere with the smooth functioning of the respiratory system.
11. What kind of particulate matter is toxic in nature?
a) Aerosols
b) Soot
c) Metals
d) Fumes
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Explanation: Heavy metals and their salts which get suspended in the atmosphere are the most toxic particulates by themselves. Heavy metals are carcinogenic and have adverse effects on humans.
12. Which of the following heavy metals has the highest concentration in the atmosphere?
a) Cadmium
b) Mercury
c) Nickel
d) Lead
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Explanation: All the given trace metals have substantial concentrations in the atmosphere. Among the given options, though, lead has the highest concentration. Their sources and concentration vary regionally, but this is an overall figure.
13. Which of the following is not a severe effect of lead poisoning?
a) Breathlessness
b) Convulsions
c) Coma
d) Brain damage
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Explanation: Lead poisoning may cause convulsions, and even brain damage and coma. Conversely, breathlessness is not an effect of lead poisoning. Operations like fuel consumption release lead into the atmosphere.
14. How efficient is the body at absorbing lead?
a) 20%
b) 40%
c) 60%
d) 80%
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Explanation: The efficiency with which the body absorbs lead is moderately high, about 40%. The remaining 60% of the lead that enters the human body is trapped by the mechanisms in the lungs and is then discarded.
15. What is the size of lead particles in the atmosphere of urban areas?
a) 20 micrometres
b) 2 micrometres
c) 0.2 micrometres
d) 0.02 micrometres
View Answer
Explanation: Particles of lead have a minuscule size, especially in urban areas. Their sizes are approximately 0.4 to 2 micrometres in urban areas. Particles may be as small as 0.02 micrometres though.
Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Pollution Control.
To practice all areas of Pollution Control, here is complete set of 1000+ Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.
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