Deck 3: Information Literacy and Toxicology Lead in the Water

Question 1

What is a toxic substance?

Answer 1

A toxic substance is something that causes damage after exposure.For example,arsenic can leach into ground water and cause cancer and damage the nervous system.Asbestos,another good example,is found in old building materials and affects the lungs after long exposure.

Question 2

The lead found in the water in Flint,Michigan,is what type of toxic chemical?

A)carcinogen
B)sensitizer
C)endocrine disruptor
D)poison
E)irritant

Answer 2

poison

Question 3

As you are painting your room,you develop a headache from the paint fumes.You are experiencing a(n)___________________ effect.

A)chronic
B)acute
C)delayed
D)poison
E)toxic

Answer 3

acute

Question 4

The increase in concentration of a fat-soluble substance in a food chain is called ________.

A)biomagnification
B)bioaccumulation
C)amplification
D)magnification
E)additive

Question 5

What is TRUE of lead?

A)It is a synthetic chemical.
B)It is safe for humans at low levels.
C)The lead in the water in Flint,Michigan,came from pollutants in the river.
D)Lead was used in various products,including paint and water pipes.

Question 6

You are out camping with friends.When you return home,you notice you have developed a rash on parts of your arms and legs.You have most likely come into contact with a ___________________.

A)mutagen
B)sensitizer
C)carcinogen
D)poison
E)teratogen

Question 7

Chemicals that can pass easily through cell membranes are called ________.

A)water soluble
B)fat soluble
C)fat insoluble
D)cell soluble
E)membrane insoluble

Question 8

What is the difference between an acute effect and a chronic effect? Give an example of each.

Question 9

Which book created an uproar and eventually led to stricter regulations for chemical pesticides?

A)Quiet Skies
B)Chemicals in the Environment
C)Environmental Science for a Changing World
D)Silent Spring
E)Poisoned by Toxic Chemicals

Question 10

Why is knowledge about the persistence of a chemical important when considering its toxicity?

A)Persistence is a direct measure of the toxicity of a chemical,so would determine whether it is toxic or nontoxic.
B)Persistence is an indirect measure of the toxicity of a chemical; that is,high persistence means low toxicity.
C)Persistence measures how long a chemical remains in its present state in an area and,therefore,how long it might be a health concern.
D)Persistence is a measure of the number of carbons in an organic molecule,which is a direct measure of toxicity.
E)Persistence is a measure of the amount of a chemical present in a particular food chain.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a type of toxic chemical?

A)carcinogens
B)poisons
C)irritants
D)sensitizers
E)neutralizers

Question 12

The concept that everyone should have access to a clean,healthy environment as a basic human right is known as ___________________.

A)environmental justice
B)environmental equality
C)an environmental worldview
D)ecological equality
E)environmental right

Question 13

The time it takes for a substance to decay in the environment is called ________.

A)accumulation
B)solubility
C)magnification
D)persistence
E)bioaccumulation

Question 14

What is the difference between bioaccumulation and biomagnification?

A)Bioaccumulation involves mainly fat-soluble chemicals,while biomagnification involves mostly water-soluble chemicals.
B)Bioaccumulation involves mainly water-soluble chemicals,while biomagnification involves mostly fat-soluble chemicals.
C)Bioaccumulation is predominantly an aquatic problem,while biomagnification is usually a terrestrial problem.
D)Only animals lower on the food chain bioaccumulate,while all organisms can biomagnify.
E)Bioaccumulation is the buildup of substances within one organism,while biomagnification involves those substances moving up the food chain as one organism eats another.

Question 15

Ocean tuna eat smaller fish that consume material containing mercury.Mercury is a persistent toxin that builds up in higher amounts in the bodies of fish.The mercury in the smaller fish accumulates in the ocean tuna in higher amounts.When we consume tuna,the mercury in the tuna can accumulate in our bodies in higher amounts.This phenomenon is called _________.

A)bioaccumulation
B)biomagnification
C)solubility
D)secondary accumulation

Question 16

Why are water-soluble chemicals sometimes safer for humans but not for the environment?

A)They have a low persistence in the environment.
B)Humans can excrete water-soluble chemicals in their urine,but environments are "stuck" with them.
C)Water-soluble chemicals are stored in human fat,so they cannot harm organs.
D)Water-soluble chemicals have a greater tendency to be biomagnified.
E)Water-soluble chemicals have a greater tendency to be bioaccumulated.

Question 17

A substance that causes damage when it contacts,or enters,the body is called a ______________.

A)toxic
B)venom
C)synthetic
D)chemical
E)hazard

Question 18

Infographic 1

Refer to Infographic 1 below.How could a toxic substance be classified into more than one category?

Question 19

Which type of chemical interferes with a person's hormone system in the body?

A)carcinogens
B)sensitizers
C)irritants
D)endocrine disruptors
E)teratogens

Question 20

Teratogens work by _____________________.

A)disrupting the body's hormone system
B)damaging or killing cells in the body
C)disrupting embryonic development
D)directly damaging DNA
E)causing localized tissue damage

Question 21

Why is the allowable limit of lead in drinking water set at 15 ppb if researchers have concluded there is no acceptable level of lead that should be allowed in drinking water?

Question 22

Individuals react differently to toxin exposures.Which of the following factors could affect an individual's reaction to toxin exposure?

A)route of exposure (inhalation or skin contact)
B)dose of toxin
C)age of the individual
D)genetics of the individual
E)All of these answers are correct.

Question 23

Epidemiological studies show an association between serious cognitive deficits and children exposed to lead in drinking water,in paint chips,and/or in the air they breathe.Design an in vivo (manipulative)experiment using lab animals as a model for humans to show a cause-and-effect relationship between lead and cognitive deficits.

Question 24

According to the World Health Organization,children absorb ___________ times as much lead as adults do in the same environment.

A)1 to 2
B)2 to 3
C)3 to 4
D)4 to 5
E)5 to 6

Question 25

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared that medical intervention is needed when concentrations of lead in the blood are at or above 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL).In Flint,most children with elevated blood levels of lead had values between _______________ µg/dL.

A)0 and 1
B)1 and 5
C)5 and 9
D)10 and 20
E)30 and 50

Question 26

Eagle populations crashed because their eggshells were so thin that the fetuses were not able to survive,a result of DDT toxicity.Low levels of DDT were measured in nearby waterways,yet the fish living there appeared unaffected.Explain how the low levels of DDT in the water had no obvious effect on the fish populations but wreaked havoc on eagles,the top predators.

Question 27

You have been assigned the task of investigating a case of mercury poisoning in a small fishing village in Japan.How would you go about looking for the cause of the mercury poisoning?

Question 28

Infographic 2

Refer to Infographic 2.What is biomagnification? Use the figure to explain how predatory fish higher on the food chain are more likely to suffer health problems compared to organisms lower on the food chain.

Question 29

The effect where chemicals interact and produce an effect equivalent to the sum of their individual effects is ___________________.

A)antagonistic
B)synergistic
C)additive
D)combining
E)quantitative

Question 30

Decades of research show even low levels of lead exposure can impact a child's development in which way?

A)intellectually
B)physically
C)emotionally
D)All of these answers are correct.
E)None of these answers are correct.

Question 31

What is the relationship between persistence and biomagnification?

Question 32

Which if the following is FALSE about lead exposure?

A)Lead is so potent there is "no safe level" of exposure.
B)A small amount of lead exposure can cause neurological damage.
C)Lead is very persistent in the environment.
D)Lead is fat soluble.
E)Lead will bioaccumulate,but not biomagnify.

Question 33

The dose size required for a chemical to do harm is called the _______________.

A)lethal dose
B)potency
C)persistence
D)soluble dose
E)toxic dose

Question 34

What kind of studies were conducted by Hanna-Attisha and Edwards that correlated lead levels in water with lead levels in children?

A)toxicological
B)biomagnifying
C)epidemiological
D)demographical
E)environmental

Question 35

Which LD50 score (dose in ppm)indicates the highest level of toxicity?

A)19
B)250
C)96
D)8
E)550

Question 36

Infographic 4

Refer to Infographic 4 below.Describe how a dose-response curve helps determine a safe dose.

Question 37

Which of the following is the term for chemicals that work together in the body to produce toxic effects greater than the sum of their individual effects would predict?

A)additive
B)synergistic
C)antagonistic
D)disruptive
E)agonistic

Question 38

Research has shown that children of migratory farm workers are more likely to be exposed to toxins than are children of nonmigratory farm workers.How could you explain this?

Question 39

Scientists are studying the effects of two chemicals on high blood pressure.When chemical A is used,blood pressure decreases by 20%.When chemical B is used,blood pressure decreases by 40%.When both chemical A and chemical B are used,blood pressure decreases by 35%.The effect of the chemical interaction is _________________.

A)additive
B)antagonistic
C)synergistic
D)symbiotic
E)decreasing

Question 40

A graph that shows the strength of an effect of a substance at different doses is a(n)__________________ curve.

A)lethal-dose
B)dose-response
C)low-effect
D)adverse-dose
E)effective-dose

Question 41

What is the rule of thumb that calls for leaving a safety margin when the data about a particular substance's potential for harm are uncertain,and when the substance may cause unexpected or unpredictable effects?

A)innocent until proven guilty
B)guilty until proven innocent
C)the precautionary principle
D)do no harm
E)risk assessment

Question 42

Which type of source is the most likely to perpetuate errors that have previously appeared?

A)primary
B)secondary
C)tertiary
D)review
E)report

Question 43

Jenny McCarthy has a son with autism,which she believes was directly caused by childhood vaccinations he received.She has drawn attention to this anecdotal evidence in numerous magazine and newspaper articles.Her appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show caused parents across the nation to question whether they should immunize their children.In fact,several diseases that had been controlled in the United States have recently reappeared as more children now go unvaccinated.Meanwhile,no peer-reviewed scientific study to date has shown a correlation between the immunizations and autism.Your spouse recently asked you for your opinion as to whether or not your child should be vaccinated.Explain to him or her the difference between primary,secondary,and tertiary sources in this example and which should carry more weight in making an informed decision.What other information would you want to know in order to form an opinion?

Question 44

Carefully weighing the risks and benefits associated with any chemical is known as _______.

A)innocent until proven guilty
B)guilty until proven innocent
C)the precautionary principle
D)do no harm
E)risk assessment

Question 45

Under the Lautenberg Act,who has to show a chemical is safe before it receives approval to go on the market?

A)the manufacturers of the chemical
B)the public
C)medical doctors
D)the EPA
E)the media

Question 46

Explain the differences between primary,secondary,and tertiary sources of information.Provide an example of each type.

Question 47

In risk assessment,why is it not possible to carefully weigh all of the risks and benefits associated with a new chemical?

A)insufficient funding
B)not enough people power available
C)unknown synergistic interactions with other chemicals
D)the need for the chemical to be available immediately
E)All of these answers are correct.

Question 48

Based on the precautionary principle,what is TRUE?

A)Regulators make educated guesses about safety based on how other similar compounds have fared.
B)Toxic products are often discovered only after they reach the marketplace.
C)Typically,many consumers are harmed by chemicals that reach consumers.
D)Products are recalled after they are shown to be harming consumers.
E)Harmful products are prevented from reaching store shelves.

Question 49

Which of the following information sources is peer reviewed?

A)primary
B)secondary
C)tertiary
D)review
E)report

Question 50

The ability to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources of information is called information__________.

A)decoding
B)literacy
C)reasoning
D)deduction
E)analysis

Question 51

A new drug has been successful in alleviating nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.Many women also experience intense nausea at certain stages of pregnancy.First,as an FDA regulator,apply the precautionary principle to this new drug and describe what criteria must be met before it is made available to expectant mothers.Second,as a representative of the drug company who manufactures the drug,apply the innocent until proven guilty approach to argue why this drug is likely safe and should be made available to all who need it.

Question 52

Textbooks are examples of ________ sources.

A)primary
B)secondary
C)tertiary
D)review
E)report

Question 53

What is information literacy,and why is it important in cases like that of BPA?

Question 54

Papers that are published in scientific journals are examples of ______ sources.

A)primary
B)secondary
C)tertiary
D)review
E)report

Question 55

A new drug has been developed to inhibit the replication of HIV,the retrovirus that causes AIDS.In studies using mice as a model organism,the drug showed amazing results: 60% of infected mice who received the drug did not go on to develop AIDS.This drug has the potential to help eradicate AIDS in humans,but it is unknown what possible side effects exist.As an FDA regulator,what would you see as the pros and cons of applying the precautionary principle to this new drug?

Question 56

What federal law regulates chemical safety in the United States?

A)Safe Drinking Water Act
B)Toxic Chemical Act
C)Hazardous Waste Act
D)Toxic Substances Control Act
E)Dangerous Chemical Act

Question 57

Blogs,websites,and news shows that provide additional commentary on reports from the popular press are considered ________ sources.

A)primary
B)secondary
C)tertiary
D)review
E)report

Question 58

A chain-smoking friend says that there is no way she's ever going to fly in a plane because she's terrified the plane will crash.What information sources could you provide your friend regarding the relative safety of flying and the dangers of smoking?

Question 59

A student is assigned a research paper looking at the effects of CFCs on the ozone layer.The student gathers information by looking at blogs,websites,and news shows that summarize recent magazine and newspaper articles written on this topic.What type of information source is the student using,and what if any problems are associated with this type of source?

Question 60

During the peer-review process,what criteria do reviewers look for in papers to determine if the papers will be accepted or rejected?

A)quality of the design
B)quality of the data
C)statistical analysis
D)soundness of conclusion
E)All of these answers are correct.

Question 61

Refer to Infographic 7.Which logical fallacies listed in the figure are used to sway the reader in the following example? Genetically modified (GM)foods do not pose a safety concern and should not be labeled.We would need to label the majority of food products available today,since most already contain GM products.By including GM crops in agriculture,we have been able to greatly increase yields and feed more people.If GM foods were dangerous,we would have seen the effects already in the population.

Question 62

Which common logical fallacy is used when claiming there is no way to know the effect of lead,since humans are exposed to so many toxins; thus,we should do nothing about the use of lead?

A)red herring
B)false dichotomy
C)appeal to ignorance
D)ad hominem attack
E)hasty generalization

Question 63

Which of the following is NOT a part of critical thinking?

A)logically assessing and reflecting on information
B)reaching one's own conclusion based on evidence
C)uncovering and rejecting logical fallacies in arguments or claims
D)refusing to believe anything
E)avoiding bias

Question 64

Science Literacy Une Infographic 3 below to answer the next questions.
What is the chemical interaction and effect of decrease in enzyme activity when both lead and cadmium are given to rats?

A)antagonistic effect causing a 35% decrease in enzyme activity
B)additive effect causing a 35% decrease in enzyme activity
C)synergistic effect causing a 25% decrease in enzyme activity
D)antagonistic effect causing a 25% decrease in enzyme activity

Question 65

The claims that a chemical either must be completely avoided or it is totally safe for everyone are which type of common logical fallacy?

A)hasty generalization
B)red herring
C)ad hominem attack
D)false dichotomy
E)appeal to ignorance

Question 66

Which common logical fallacy draws a broad conclusion based on too little evidence?

A)appeal to authority
B)false dichotomy
C)appeal to ignorance
D)ad hominem attack
E)hasty generalization

Question 67

Describe what it means to be a critical thinker.List four measures that should be included in a critical thinker's skill set.

Question 68

Consumer groups called for a ban on BPA,a chemical known to be an endocrine disruptor,suggesting that financial interests from companies that profit from BPA-made products cause them to suppress data that might show BPA to be harmful.Which common logical fallacy is at work here?

A)appeal to authority
B)false dichotomy
C)appeal to ignorance
D)ad hominem attack
E)hasty generalization

Question 69

Refer to Infographic 7.Which logical fallacies listed in the figure are used to sway the reader in the following example? The proposed Keystone pipeline from Canada to refineries in the Gulf is not safe and should be opposed.The British Petroleum (BP)Deepwater Horizon oil spill wreaked havoc even while top oil executives made record-breaking profits.

Question 70

Science Literacy Une Infographic 3 below to answer the next questions.
When both lead and arsenic are given to mice,dopamine decreases by ______.

A)40%
B)20%
C)25%
D)17%

Question 71

Science Literacy Une Infographic 3 below to answer the next questions.
The effects of lead on dopamine in mice show a(n)___________________.

A)decrease of 40%
B)decrease of 17%
C)increase of 40%
D)increase of 35%

Question 72

Which common logical fallacy is an argument that sets up an either/or choice that is not valid?

A)red herring
B)false dichotomy
C)appeal to ignorance
D)ad hominem attack
E)hasty generalization

Question 73

Match each term in the left-hand column to the statement that it best exemplifies.

Question 74

Which of the following are components of a critical thinker's skill set?

A)be skeptical
B)evaluate the evidence
C)be open minded
D)watch out for biases
E)All of these answers are correct.

Question 75

Your uncle Barney goes with you to the gas station to fuel up your car.He strongly indicates his disapproval of ethanol-blended gasoline.His good friend used ethanol fuel once and it "killed his engine." He went on to add that his friend's fuel efficiency (miles per gallon)was at least 30% worse when using gasoline with the additive.Use critical thinking skills to assess Uncle Barney's input.What additional information do you need in order to decide which fuel to use in your vehicle?

Question 76

Science Literacy Une Infographic 3 below to answer the next questions.
An antagonistic effect is seen when ____________________.

A)human cells are exposed to both thimerosal and aluminum hydroxide
B)rats are given both lead and cadmium
C)mice are given both lead and arsenic

Question 77

Science Literacy Une Infographic 3 below to answer the next questions.
When human cells are exposed to both thimerosal and aluminum hydroxide,neuron death rises to 60%,as compared to 10% with thimerosal alone and 7% with aluminum hydroxide alone.Which effect occurs when these chemicals interact?

A)antagonistic
B)additive
C)synergistic

Question 78

Refer to Infographic 7.Which logical fallacies listed in the figure are used to sway the reader in the following example? Marijuana should be the preferred treatment for glaucoma.It is effective and safe,as it is a naturally occurring plant.The only reason it is not used more is government opposition.

Question 79

A lobbyist for the oil and gas industry points out that as the global temperature rises,the level of carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere; he shows you ice-core evidence of this occurring after an ice age.He goes on to say that since rising temperatures lead to increased levels of carbon dioxide,and not vice versa,we shouldn't worry about current rising levels of carbon dioxide because it shouldn't affect temperature in the future.As a critical thinker,what do you notice here?

Question 80

Which common logical fallacy presents extraneous information that does not directly support the claim but that might confuse the reader/listener?

A)red herring
B)false dichotomy
C)appeal to ignorance
D)ad hominem attack
E)hasty generalization