Environmental Studies ยท Biology

Environmental Health and Toxicology

1,717 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

In human body, the chlorinated hydrocarbons keep on accumulating in:

  1. Bones

  2. Brain

  3. Skin

  4. Fatty tissue
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Chlorinated hydrocarbons are lipophilic (fat-loving) and accumulate in fatty tissues through biomagnification - they can't be easily metabolized or excreted, and their concentration increases up the food chain. They don't significantly accumulate in bones, brain, or skin compared to fat deposits.

Multiple choice

Pollutant-consuming organisms are known as

  1. particulates

  2. receptors

  3. sinks

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

The elements or organisms that can consume a pollutant are known as 'sinks'. Recent researches have shown that soil is capable of removing large amounts of CO from the atmosphere by the action of some soil microorganisms. The microorganisms act as a sink for CO.

Multiple choice

Carcinogenic chemicals are those that can cause _____.

  1. allergy

  2. tuberculosis

  3. cancer

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

Carcinogens are substances capable of causing cancer by damaging DNA or disrupting cellular processes. They differ from allergens (immune triggers), tuberculosis-causing bacteria, or anemia-related deficiencies.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is/are the harmful effect(s) of ozone depletion on human beings, animals, plants and environment?

  1. Skin cancer

  2. Damage to the eyes

  3. Increased embryonic mortality in animals and humans

  4. Smog formation

  5. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as all of the above are the harmful effects of ozone depletion on human beings, animals, plants and environment. This is the correct option as all of the above are harmful effects of ozone depletion on human beings, animals, plants and environment.

Multiple choice

The popular perception is that allergy is not organic in origin and is caused by dust and other allergens that we breathe in. A recent report, however, shows that irrespective of the type of allergens - organic or inorganic - allergy has not much to do with extraneous factors. It is not the exposure or the risk of exposure, but the lack of exposure that is primarily responsible for children and adolescents falling prey to allergies of various kinds.

Which of the following statements best explains the apparent paradox regarding exposure?

  1. Limited exposure helps build up the immune system.

  2. Allergy is internal, not external.

  3. Children and adolescents should be exposed to clean and hygienic environs.

  4. Some of the allergens do not come from the air we breathe.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Immunity to greater hazards is built up by limited exposure. Like vaccination, exposure in small doses builds resistance.

Multiple choice

Supersonic jets tend to cause

  1. destruction of the ozone layer

  2. sound pollution

  3. nervous system breakdown

  4. All the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Supersonic jets fly in the stratosphere where they release nitrogen oxides that react with and deplete the ozone layer. While they also cause noise pollution, ozone depletion is the most significant environmental impact associated with their altitude.

Multiple choice

If a person inhales _________ gaseous pollutant, he suffers from throat irritation, burning of pharynx and oesophagus.

  1. sulphur dioxide

  2. ammonia

  3. hydrogen sulphide

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

In many industries, ammonia gas (NH3) is used as a reducing agent. It is a corrosive gas with a high potentiality of causing throat irritation, burning of pharynx, oesophagus, etc. It can also cause digestive problems when excess gas is inhaled.

Multiple choice

Dust from factories can cause ____________.

  1. jaundice

  2. respiratory problems

  3. cholera

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

Dust and particulate matter from factories are inhaled, which irritates the lungs and causes various respiratory problems like asthma or bronchitis.