Deck 14: Environmental Health

Question 1

A gas or vapor that traps infrared radiation instead of allowing it to escape through the atmosphere is called a(n)

A)air stagnator.
B)temperature inversion column.
C)greenhouse gas.
D)global-warming ozone.

Answer 1

greenhouse gas.

Question 2

The ozone layer in the upper atmosphere

A)shields the earth from the sun's ultraviolet rays.
B)facilitates temperature inversions.
C)maintains the pH of rain.
D)is the key component of smog.

Answer 2

shields the earth from the sun's ultraviolet rays.

Question 3

The EPA's Air Quality Index measures all of the following EXCEPT

A)carbon monoxide.
B)natural gas.
C)ground-level ozone.
D)nitrogen dioxide.

Answer 3

natural gas.

Question 4

The Air Quality Index measures the

A)level of carbon monoxide over the previous ten days.
B)deterioration in the ozone layer.
C)concentration of five air pollutants of concern to health.
D)amount that visibility is diminished by smog.

Question 5

Levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases are rising because of

A)combustion of fossil fuels.
B)water pollution.
C)acid rain.
D)the destruction of the ozone layer.

Question 6

Key greenhouse gases include all of the following EXCEPT

A)helium.
B)carbon dioxide.
C)chlorofluorocarbons.
D)methane.

Question 7

The greenhouse effect is related to

A)acid rain.
B)global warming.
C)ecological homeostasis.
D)smog.

Question 8

If the greenhouse effect does raise temperatures worldwide,it is predicted that all of the following will happen EXCEPT

A)change in location of vegetation zones.
B)increased mortality from heat stress.
C)change in weather patterns.
D)distortion of the earth's orbital path.

Question 9

Which of the following about the earth's polar ice caps is TRUE?

A)Global warming could cause the polar ice caps to melt.
B)The extreme cold from the ice caps is slowing the rate of global warming.
C)Experts now believe that polar ice melting will not be a problem for future generations.
D)Polar ice melts help to stabilize global weather patterns.

Question 10

The key component of smog is

A)sulfur dioxide.
B)particulate matter.
C)carbon monoxide.
D)ground-level ozone.

Question 11

Which of the following does NOT make smog more likely to form?

A)heavy motor vehicle traffic
B)high temperatures
C)sunny weather
D)strong winds

Question 12

For the first time in history,there are

A)more young children than parents.
B)more older people than young children.
C)more young children than older people.
D)more older people than parents.

Question 13

Which of the following does NOT contribute to air pollution?

A)forest fires
B)battery-driven golf carts
C)blooming flowers
D)dust storms

Question 14

Which of the following statements about air pollution is FALSE?

A)A major source of air pollution is the burning of fossil fuels.
B)Air pollution occurs with every pollen bloom.
C)A topographic features such as a mountain range can concentrate the problem.
D)Nuclear energy seems to be the solution to air pollution.

Question 15

The United Nation's Convention on Biological Diversity estimates that demand for resources

A)is decreasing overall due to technological improvements.
B)will exceed the earth's capacity by 2020.
C)already exceeds the earth's capacity by 20%.
D)can continue to grow without negative consequences.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about environmental health is FALSE?

A)It has focused on preventing infectious diseases spread by water,waste,food,rodents,and insects.
B)It encompasses all the interactions of humans and their environment and the health consequences of these actions.
C)Environmental pollutants contribute to infectious diseases but not to chronic diseases.
D)Advancements in technology have contributed to both the causes of and solutions to environmental health issues.

Question 17

Factors that may limit human population growth include all of the following EXCEPT

A)improved health.
B)better education.
C)employment opportunities for women.
D)traditional religious belief.

Question 18

What is the core reason for many of today's environmental problems?

A)air pollution
B)water pollution
C)dependence on nuclear power
D)rapid population growth

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a factor that directly affects population control?

A)fertility rates
B)habitat destruction
C)death rates
D)availability of family planning

Question 20

"Sustainable development" refers to development that meets society's current needs and

A)grows at a specified pace annually.
B)allows future generations to meet theirs.
C)caps energy use at current annual levels.
D)gradually reduces energy use over time.

Question 21

A long-term health threat associated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)is

A)arthritis.
B)mental retardation.
C)cancer.
D)birth defects.

Question 22

All of the following are simple steps for protecting the water supply EXCEPT

A)taking showers instead of baths.
B)watering lawns and garden plants in mid-afternoon.
C)fixing leaky faucets.
D)not pouring old medicines down the drain.

Question 23

For every gallon of gas burned,about ______ pounds of carbon dioxide go into the atmosphere.

A)2
B)5
C)10
D)20

Question 24

One potential drawback with the use of ethanol as an alternative energy source is that it

A)diverts corn crops from the food supply.
B)is a nonrenewable energy source.
C)will increase greenhouse gas emissions.
D)cannot be produced in the United States.

Question 25

The disease that is most likely to increase in incidence because of the thinning of the ozone layer is

A)lung cancer.
B)lymphoma.
C)skin cancer.
D)leukemia.

Question 26

You can reduce air pollution by doing all of the following EXCEPT

A)cutting back on driving.
B)making sure your home is well-insulated.
C)planting and caring for trees.
D)using fluorescent tubes for lighting.

Question 27

The water treatment that helps reduce tooth decay is

A)filtration.
B)disinfection.
C)chlorination.
D)fluoridation.

Question 28

Sewage contains primarily

A)human feces.
B)heavy metals.
C)paper waste.
D)radioactive waste.

Question 29

Which of the following is TRUE about U.S.water systems?

A)No Americans have died from contaminated water in the last 10 years.
B)Hazardous chemicals from manufacturing do not infiltrate water systems in the United States.
C)In most areas of the United States,water systems supply adequate,dependable,and safe water.
D)Water shortages are not a concern in the United States.

Question 30

______ are the biggest energy consumers.

A)Russians
B)Europeans
C)Americans
D)Chinese

Question 31

About what percentage of energy used in the United States comes from fossil fuels?

A)25%
B)60%
C)85%
D)100%

Question 32

The most obvious depletion of the ozone layer has occurred over

A)AntarcticA.
B)the United States.
C)the equator.
D)Africa.

Question 33

Release of ______ into the atmosphere is the primary cause of the depletion of the ozone layer.

A)chlorofluorocarbons
B)fluorine
C)PCBs
D)ethanol

Question 34

Water is usually disinfected in

A)home filter systems.
B)community water treatment plants.
C)underground filters.
D)hot water tanks.

Question 35

Which of the following is an acronym for a recently introduced type of vehicle that has a high fuel economy rating?

A)SUV
B)AQI
C)HEV
D)CFC

Question 36

Sewage sludge is sometimes used as a fertilizer,unless it is contaminated with

A)heavy metals.
B)high concentrations of water purifiers.
C)high concentrations of fluoride.
D)agricultural chemicals.

Question 37

Sludge that contains heavy metals

A)can best be eliminated through burning.
B)is hazardous to health.
C)makes especially good fertilizer.
D)is rarely found in sewage treatment facilities.

Question 38

Ozone loss increases the risk of

A)skin cancer.
B)arthritis.
C)hearing loss.
D)birth defects.

Question 39

You can help save the ozone layer by

A)making sure old refrigerants are properly disposed of.
B)installing a carbon monoxide detector.
C)not planting too many trees in your yard.
D)buying products that contain CFCs.

Question 40

Which of the following statements about energy use and pollution is TRUE?

A)Energy consumption has little to do with environmental problems such as air pollution.
B)Nuclear power creates energy without producing pollution.
C)The mining of coal causes pollution on land and is a serious health problem.
D)Off-shore oil drilling poses few risks to regional ecosystems.

Question 41

Sanitary landfills are primarily used to dispose of

A)radioactive waste.
B)solid waste.
C)sewage.
D)recyclables.

Question 42

Which is the fastest-growing portion of the U.S.waste stream?

A)yard trimmings
B)metals
C)plastics
D)e-waste

Question 43

Which of the following is NOT considered a recommendation for reducing garbage?

A)Avoid using paper cups by bringing your own china coffee mug to work.
B)Buy products with the least amount of packaging.
C)Use foil or plastic wraps to store food.
D)Start a compost pile for your organic garbage.

Question 44

Eating large amounts of which of the following foods can expose you to high levels of mercury?

A)beef
B)pork
C)chicken
D)fish

Question 45

In the United States,the biggest component of household trash by weight is

A)plastics.
B)paper products.
C)lawn waste.
D)metals.

Question 46

The pesticide DDT contributed to the control of

A)insect-borne disease in tropical countries.
B)Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
C)smallpox.
D)diphtheria.

Question 47

When toxic or potentially toxic substances build up in the food chain,the process is called

A)vector transmission.
B)biomagnification.
C)bioloading.
D)radiation sickness.

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT considered a recommendation for reducing chemical pollution?

A)using nontoxic,nonpetrochemical personal and household products
B)disposing of household hazardous wastes properly
C)storing toxic household products out of the reach of children and pets
D)buying meat,poultry,and produce grown outside your local area

Question 49

A naturally occurring metal found in some foods and consumer products that has been linked to brain,kidney,and gastrointestinal tract damage is

A)mercury.
B)silver.
C)aluminum.
D)iron.

Question 50

Which of the following pollutants causes central nervous system damage and mental impairment and is a particular risk for children living in older buildings?

A)asbestos
B)carbon monoxide
C)formaldehyde gas
D)lead

Question 51

Which of the following statements about poverty and health is FALSE?

A)Residents living in poor neighborhoods are often exposed to more environmental toxins than residents living in wealthier communities.
B)Poor neighborhoods are common sites for hazardous waste pollution.
C)Studies show that children from wealthy families have higher concentrations of lead in their blood than do children from poor families.
D)Asthma is a growing problem in poor families.

Question 52

What is the process by which organic substances are broken down naturally by living organisms?

A)biodegradation
B)recycling
C)septic systemization
D)organic oxygenation

Question 53

Which of the following is NOT considered "e-waste"?

A)old computers
B)old televisions
C)used computer paper
D)old cell phones

Question 54

DDT was banned in the United States in 1972 after it was

A)found to have a negative impact on reptiles,fish,and birds.
B)blamed for several child deaths in a farming community in British Columbia.
C)connected with cancer diagnoses in agricultural communities across America.
D)tested by the Food and Drug Administration.

Question 55

The respiratory disease most closely associated with asbestos is

A)lung cancer.
B)black lung disease.
C)brown lung disease.
D)bronchitis.

Question 56

In ______,the waste material from one product is used as the raw material to produce a new product.

A)recycling
B)composting
C)biodegradation
D)sanitary landfills

Question 57

The United States has a relatively small percentage of the world's population but uses one-fourth of the world's energy.

Question 58

The field of environmental health grew out of efforts to control communicable disease.

Question 59

Which one of the following statements about the effects of noise is FALSE?

A)Permanent hearing loss can occur from prolonged exposure to sounds above 80-85 decibels.
B)Children may suffer damage to their hearing at noise levels lower than when adults would suffer damage.
C)Permanent hearing loss occurs within the first 2 hours of exposure to sounds above 60 decibels.
D)OSHA sets legal standards for noise levels in the workplace.

Question 60

The form of radiation that poses the most serious risk to human health is ______ radiation.

A)microwave
B)infrared
C)gamma
D)X ray

Question 61

Smog is more likely to occur during warm and sunny weather.

Question 62

Pollen is a contributor to air pollution.

Question 63

Biological pollutants include bacteria,dust mites,and mold.

Question 64

A recent source of toxic waste is the disposal of computer components.

Question 65

Hazardous chemicals in sewage is a concern in the United States.

Question 66

The warming of the earth due to buildup of carbon dioxide and other gases is termed the greenhouse effect.

Question 67

Trees can help reduce concentrations of greenhouse gases.

Question 68

Greenhouse gasses result in a warming of the earth.

Question 69

Health risks linked to depletion of the ozone layer include cataracts and reduced immune response.

Question 70

Surface water is likely to be contaminated with both organic matter and pathogenic microorganisms.

Question 71

Solid waste rapidly decomposes once buried in a sanitary landfill.

Question 72

The concentration of greenhouse gases is increasing because of the combustion of fossil fuels.

Question 73

The term smog was first used in the early twentieth century to describe the combination of smoke and fog.

Question 74

Quick starts and speeding when driving a car help reduce fuel usage.

Question 75

Fibers from asbestos can lodge in the lungs and cause a condition called asbestosis.

Question 76

Food waste makes up a larger portion of garbage in the United States than plastic,wood,and glass combined.

Question 77

Key sources of chlorofluorocarbons are solvents,refrigerants,and propellants.

Question 78

In the upper atmosphere,ozone is a harmful pollutant;at ground level,it is beneficial.

Question 79

Electronic items,batteries,and fluorescent lights should be disposed of in the regular trash.

Question 80

In the United States,the biggest single component of household trash by weight is plastic.