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

Which among these is/are the most common site of injury by airborne pollutants?

  1. Brain

  2. Lungs

  3. Skin

  4. Bones

  5. Reproductive organs
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

When inhaled air pollutants affect the lungs and respiratory tract first but can also be taken up and transported by the bloodstream throughout the body. As respiratory tract is the major entry point of air pollutants, many respiratory diseases including lung cancer are often linked to air pollution. The respiratory system is particularly sensitive to air pollutants because it is made up of a mucous membrane covering its internal surface. The lungs are designed to absorb large amounts of air in close contact with the bloodstream and facilitate the transport of oxygen. The cells of the lung tissue can be damaged by air pollutants such as ozone, metals and free radicals.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a harmful effect of acid rain?

  1. Respiratory problems like asthma, living disorder, etc.

  2. Damage to vegetation grown in fields.

  3. Erosion of incrust movements, statue and sculpture.

  4. Increased acidity of river and lake water.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The respiratory problems like asthma, blockage in bronchioles, living disorder, etc. are harmful effects of air pollution.

Multiple choice

Which of the following diseases is not caused by air pollution?

  1. Cough

  2. Common cold

  3. Asthma

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

Common cold is not caused by air pollution. Some of the causes of common cold are transmission of common cold viruses via airborne droplets, i.e. aerosols, direct contact with infected nasal secretions or contaminated objects. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following is/are the effect(s) of air pollution on human beings?

a. Hydrocarbon vapours damage the internal organs and cause cancer. b. Suspended particulate matter causes asthma, bronchitis and allergic cold. c. Pollutant gases cause irritation in eyes, throat and lungs along with injuring lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen and nervous system.

  1. Only a

  2. Only a and b

  3. Only b and c

  4. All a, b and c

  5. Only b
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as all of these are the effects of air pollution on human beings. Hydrocarbon vapours damage the internal organs and cause cancer, suspended particulate matter causes asthma, bronchitis and allergic cold, and pollutant gases cause irritation in eyes, throat and lungs along with injuring lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen and nervous system.

Multiple choice

All of the following are extrinsic or external factors that affect human health, except

  1. unbalanced or inadequate diet

  2. disease-causing microorganisms

  3. malfunctioning of the immune system of the body

  4. environmental pollutants

  5. tobacco, alcohol and narcotic drugs
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as malfunctioning of the immune system of the body, i.e. allergy, is not an extrinsic or external factor that affects human health. It is an internal factor.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the passage given below and answer the question that follows.

Air pollution is responsible for major health effects. Every year, the health of countless people is endangered by air pollution. Many different chemicals in the air affect the human body in negative ways. Older people are highly vulnerable to diseases induced by air pollution. Those with heart or lung disorders are under additional risk.

Air pollution affects most of the people who are __________.

  1. young

  2. sick

  3. old

  4. infants
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

It is mentioned in the 2nd last line of the passage.