Environmental Studies · Biology

Environmental Health and Toxicology

1,658 Questions

Access targeted questions on environmental health, pollution impacts, and toxicology fundamentals. The topics cover the health effects of air pollution, radiation, and chemical exposure. This material is highly relevant for environmental science tests and general awareness sections of competitive exams.

Air pollution health effectsPesticide exposure risksOzone depletion impactsEnvironmental epidemiologySkin inflammation conditions

Environmental Health and Toxicology Questions

Multiple choice biology health and diseases non-infectious diseases non infectious diseases categories of diseases

UV radiations affects human being by causing

  1. Skin cancer

  2. Peptic ulcer

  3. Kidney problems

  4. Heart problems
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The ozone layer is present in the stratosphere above the Earth. The layer of ozone is responsible for the absorption of the harmful ultraviolet radiations from the solar radiations. These radiations are prevented from entering the Earth's atmosphere to prevent the development of skin cancer. The radiations can also damage the eye and other exposed parts of the body. 

Thus, the correct answer is option A. 

Multiple choice biology health and diseases non-infectious diseases non infectious diseases categories of diseases

Lung cancer is caused by 

  1. Coal mining

  2. Chromium fluoride

  3. Cement factory

  4. Bauxite mining
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma is a malignant lung tumour characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. Most cancers which start in the lungs, known as primary lung cancers are carcinomas. Chromium fluoride is a carcinogenous hexavalent chromium which is found in the tap water. It increases the risk of lung cancer, kidney cancer, intestinal cancer etc.

So, the correct answer is 'Chromium fluoride'.

Multiple choice biology health and diseases non-infectious diseases non infectious diseases categories of diseases

Cigarette smoke contains the carcinogen

  1. N-nitrosodimethylene

  2. Aflatoxin

  3. Vinyl chloride

  4. Diethylstilbestrol
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A carcinogen is any substance or radiation that promotes carcinogenesis, the formation of cancer.  Carcinogens may increase the risk of cancer by altering cellular metabolism or damaging DNA directly in cells. N-nitrosodimethylene causes liver cancer, whereas some of the tobacco-specific nitrosamines cause lung cancer. Volatile N-nitrosamines induce tumours in a variety of human organs, including the tongue, oesophagus, lung, pancreas, liver, kidney and bladder. 

So, the correct answer is 'N-nitrosodimethylene'.

Multiple choice biology health and diseases non-infectious diseases non infectious diseases categories of diseases

Excessive exposure of humans to UV-rays results in
(i) Damage to immune system
(ii) Damage to lungs
(iii) Skin cancer
(iv) Peptic ulcers

  1. (i) and (ii)

  2. (ii) and (iv)

  3. (i) and (iii)

  4. (iii) and (iv)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

According to World health organisation, prolonged human exposure to solar UV radiation may result in acute and chronic health effects on the skin, eye and immune system. 

Sunburn (erythema) is the best-known acute effect of excessive UV radiation exposure. Over the longer term, UV radiation induces degenerative changes in cells of the skin, fibrous tissue and blood vessels leading to premature skin aging, photodermatoses and actinic keratoses. 
Another long-term effect is an inflammatory reaction of the eye. In the most serious cases, skin cancer and cataracts can occur. 
Furthermore, a growing body of evidence suggests that environmental levels of UV radiation may suppress cell-mediated immunity and thereby enhance the risk of infectious diseases and limit the efficacy of vaccinations. Both of these act against the health of poor and vulnerable groups, especially children of the developing world. Many developing countries are located close to the equator and hence, people are exposed to the very high levels of UV radiation that occur in these regions.
Therefore, the correct answer is option C.

Multiple choice biology health and diseases non-infectious diseases non infectious diseases categories of diseases

2-naphthylamine and 4-aminobiphenyl cause 

  1. Lung cancer

  2. Liver cancer

  3. Prostate cancer

  4. Urinary bladder cancer
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Bladder cancer is any of several types of cancer arising from the tissues of the urinary bladder. Symptoms include blood in the urine, pain with urination, and low back pain. Thirty per cent of bladder tumours probably results from occupational exposure in the workplace to carcinogens such as benzidine. 2-Naphthylamine and 4-aminobiphenyl which is found in cigarette smoke and has shown to increase bladder cancer risk.

So, the correct answer is 'Urinary bladder cancer'. 

Multiple choice biology health and diseases non-infectious diseases non infectious diseases categories of diseases

Which of the following can cause cancer as well as cure it, depending upon its intensity and use?

  1. Chemicals

  2. Tobacco

  3. Ionised radiations

  4. Ultra-violet rays
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Beams of ionised radiations could be used to destroy tumours. The drug molecules are injected into the bloodstream and then "switched on" by shining ionised radiations on the part of the body where they are needed. Because these molecules only work when bathed in light, doctors are able to use ionised radiations to ensure that only the drugs embedded near the tumour are switched on. By damaging the skin's cellular DNA, excessive ionised radiations produces genetic mutations that can lead to skin cancer. Ionised radiations is considered the main cause of non-melanoma skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Multiple choice innate and learned behaviour option a: neurobiology and behaviour biology

Addiction of LSD leads to

  1. Hallucination

  2. Damage to kidneys

  3. Mental and emotional disturbance

  4. Damage of lungs
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) are powerful hallucinogens. They are obtained from the sclerotia of ergot fungus, Claviceps purpurea, present on rye plant. They are natural hallucinogens and change mood, behaviour and thoughts. They mimic the chemical messenger serotonin in brain. They powerful hallucinations and alter senses that result in pleasant or unpleasant sensations in the body. Thus, they can cause mental and emotional disturbance.
So, the correct answer is 'Mental and emotional disturbance'.
Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a health risk of depleted Ozone?

  1. Skin Cancer

  2. Stomach Illness

  3. Eye Problem (Cataract)

  4. Respiratory Illness
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Depleted ozone allows more UV radiation to reach the surface, which is linked to skin cancer and cataracts. Stomach illness is not a recognized health effect of ozone depletion.