Deck 13: Environmental Health in Rural America

Question 1

Which of the following is part of the five leading causes of death in the United States?
I) Cancers
II) Heart disease
III) Unintentional injuries

A) I only
B) II and III only
C) II only
D) I and III only
E) I, II, and III

Answer 1

E

Question 2

The institution responsible for protecting public health regulation of drinking water contaminants is which of the following?

A) Agency for Safe Drinking Water
B) Center for Disease Control and Prevention
C) Environmental Protection Agency
D) Occupational Safety and Health Administration
E) Agency for Safe Drinking Water and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which of these factors do not influence the quality of drinking water?

A) Source of water
B) Nature of the soil surrounding the aquifer
C) Construction and depth of the well
D) The skies above the well
E) The location of the well

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Which of these is typically utilized by large scale public water systems as drinking water?

A) Rivers
B) Surface run-off water
C) Wells
D) Ground water
E) Wells and ground water

Question 5

Which of the following factors provides the lowest risk of contamination for wells?

A) Increased depth
B) Continuous casing
C) Average depth
D) Thin casing
E) Increased depth and continuous casing

Question 6

The recommended minimum distance between a private well and septic tank is which of the following?

A) 25 feet
B) 100 feet
C) 150 feet
D) 50 feet
E) 75 feet

Question 7

The leading cause of waterborne disease and outbreak according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is:

A) chemical contamination.
B) fecal contaminants.
C) waste from plant sources.
D) contaminated soils.
E) plastic waste.

Question 8

Which of these symptoms results from nitrate exposure?

A) Increased blood pressure
B) Increased heart rate
C) Headaches
D) Increased heart rate and headaches
E) Increased blood pressure and increased heart rate

Question 9

All of the following are components of particulate matter except:

A) sulfate and nitrate compounds.
B) carbon.
C) soil.
D) ash.
E) sewage.

Question 10

About 99% of sulfur dioxide gases are formed by:

A) volcanic activities.
B) tornadoes.
C) burning of fossil fuels.
D) industrial activities.
E) burning of fossil fuels and industrial activities.

Question 11

Which of the following gases contributes to acid rain?

A) Nitrogen dioxide
B) Carbon monoxide
C) Sulfur dioxide
D) Nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide
E) Nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide

Question 12

Historically, waste management in rural America comprised which of the following?
I) Backyard burning
II) Informal dumps
III) Use of water bodies as discarding sites

A) I and II only
B) I and III only
C) II and III only
D) I only
E) I, II, and III

Question 13

The most common cause of Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans poisons is which of the following?

A) Informal dumps
B) Back yard burning
C) Volcanoes
D) Hurricanes
E) Controlled waste incinerator

Question 14

The major components of agricultural waste come in the form of:

A) sewage and manure.
B) manure and crop residue.
C) crop residue and industrial waste.
D) industrial waste and hazardous waste.
E) sewage and hazardous waste.

Question 15

Which of the following countries produces the most e-waste?

A) United States
B) India
C) United Kingdom
D) Russia
E) China

Question 16

Ground water is considered of a high quality and not affected by surface runoff, agricultural practices and leachate from disposal sites.

Question 17

Limited filtration from coarse soil or insufficient soil depth will increase the likelihood of contamination.

Question 18

Driven wells are constructed by digging with a shovel or backhoe to a depth of 10 to 30 feet.

Question 19

Arsenic from private wells may result from natural deposits, agricultural fertilizers, or industrial waste.

Question 20

The study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2008-2012, showed that air quality measures improved as the areas became more rural.

Question 21

Dust and smoke are particulate matter.

Question 22

Stratospheric ozone is very beneficial to health as it protects from ultraviolet rays.

Question 23

Carbon monoxide, a harmful gas to human life, is more common in rural areas than urban areas.

Question 24

Lead, though very toxic, does not contribute to behavioral and learning issues in children.

Question 25

The United States is one of the top producers of the world's waste.

Question 26

Compared to rural areas, urban areas produce a higher amount of waste in the United States.

Question 27

According to the World Health Organization, dioxins are carcinogenic.

Question 28

As a general guiding principle, hazardous wastes are solid wastes that are reactive, inflammable, toxic, and non-corrosive in nature.

Question 29

Refrigerators are large appliance e-wastes.

Question 30

Studies have shown that urban areas produce greater amounts of e-waste compared to rural areas.

Question 31

Briefly describe the nature of common pathogens found in water contaminated by fecal matter and how they impact health.

Question 32

Briefly explain the health effects of Particulate Matter (PM).

Question 33

List three common contaminants of private wells and describe how they affect health.

Question 34

In order to reduce the harm posed by improper waste disposal, the Environmental Protection Agency has initiated several programs. Explain the Backhaul Alaska project.

Question 35

Define e-waste and explain the various types.