ENVIRONMENT

SEQS

AIR
Q- Define air pollution?
A-Presence of substances generated by human activities in atmosphere, that interferes with human
health , safety or comfort or injurious to vegetation & animals

Q-What are the sources of air pollution?

A-Natural sources
Dust Storms , Methane, Radon, wildfires, Vegetation, Volcanic activity
B-Human activity
Power plants, Manufacturing facilities (industries) ,Waste incinerators Furnaces & other types of fuel-burning
heating devices
Fuel combustion produce heat/energy- produce smoke, SO2, NO2 & fly ash
Domestic sources, Waste deposition in landfills

Q-what are different types of pollutants?

A-Primary pollutants

Pollutants emitted directly from identifiable sources –produced by both natural events or human activities
e.g. Dust storms, emission from vehicles

Secondary pollutants
When certain chemical reactions take place among the primary pollutants
e.g. Sulphuric acid, Ozone

Q-Define important pollutants?

 A-More than 100 air pollutants have been identified
 Important ones are
- CO, CO2, Hydrogen sulphide , Sulpher dioxid sulpher trioxide, nitrogen oxide fluorine
compounds
Q-Define the carbon cycle?
Q-What are the IMPACT OF INCREASING CO2 LEVELS IN ATMOSPHERE?
 A- Increased photosynthesis & productivity by earth’s vegetation
 Increased plant production also means increased respiration
 Elevated atmospheric CO2 is global warming
 Elevated CO2 means increase in global temperature - the greenhouse effect
 Global temperatures may increase by 3-4oC by end of next century
Q-How CFC gas deplete the azone layer?

Q-What is Ozone ?
A- Ozone
 Occur naturally in upper layers of atmosphere
 Shields earth from harmful ultraviolet rays of sun
 At ground level, it is pollutant with highly toxic effects
 Vehicles & industries - major source of ground-level emissions
 Most harmful component of Smog is ground level ozone & fine air borne particles
  Ground-level ozone formed when Nitrogen oxides & Volatile organic compounds from
gasoline, diesels & oil based solvents react in presence of sunlight

Q-What are the harmful effects of ozone?

 A- Harmful to humans at any level of exposure esp elderly, children , asthmatics & people
with heart & lung diseases
 Aggravates respiratory symptoms, inflame breathing passages, decrease lung working
capacity
 Shortness of breath, painful breathing, wheezing & coughing and lowered resistance to
colds & pneumonia
 Ozone cause itching, burning & watering of eyes
 Dry out protective membranes of nose & throat
 Interfere body ability to fight infection & increase susceptibility to infection

Q-What Is Smog?
 A- Smog that we experience today is called photochemical smog
 Nitrogen compounds & organic compounds are released into the air from cars, plants & power
plants
– VOCs(volatile organic compounds) released from these emissions and from natural sources
such as trees
– They combine to produce NOx or nitrogen dioxide
 NOx ,when exposed to sunlight creates ozone, the main part of smog
Q-What are harmful effects of smog
 A- Effects: Hampers visibility & harms environment
 Heavy smog greatly decreases ultraviolet radiation
 Decreased production of vitamin D – Rickets
 Affects respiratory system, eyes, skin & bones
 Many people suffer respiratory problems & increased deaths recorded due to bronchial causes
Q-Define acid rain?
 A- ACID RAIN:Clean or unpolluted rain is slightly acidic with PH about 5.6
 Carbon dioxide & water in air react together to form carbonic acid, a weak acid
H2O + CO2 → H2CO3
 Extra acidity in rain comes from reaction of primary air pollutants, sulfur oxides & nitrogen oxides,
with water in air to form strong acids (like sulfuric & nitric acid)
Q-What are the effect of acid rain?
 A- Acidification of lakes & disruption of normal cycling of nutrients
 Extensive damage to forests & destroy trees due to moss growth, insect attack & loss of nutrients
 Extensive damage to water, soil resources & human health
 Contamination of lakes & streams - disappearance of some species of fish
 Corrosion of buildings & hazardous to human health
 Trans boundary concern
Q-What are the important green house gases?
 A- Carbon dioxide:
 Nitrous oxide (NO2):
  Methane (CH4):
 Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs):
 Halons:
Q-What is GREEN HOUSE EFFECT?
 A- Carbon dioxide & other gases allow light to pass, but trap heat in atmosphere much like glass in
a greenhouse traps heat
 Responsible for global warming
 Carbon dioxide contributes to only 56% of greenhouse heating
Q-What is indoor pollution?
 A- More dangerous than outdoor pollution, because everything is being done in enclosed
environments where air circulation may be restricted
 11 common pollutants 2-5 times higher indoors than outdoor
 Air inside car 18 times more polluted than air outside

Q-What is sick building syndrome :

A-17% of commercial buildings have serious indoor air pollution problems - sick building syndrome

Q-What are the sources of indoor pollution?

 A- Tobacco smoke

 Cooking & heating appliances

 Vapors from building materials
 Volatile organics from paints, furniture, rugs & insulation
 Cigarette smoke
 Formaldehyde
 Radioactive radon 222 gas
 Asbestos
 Others: bacteria, fungi, dusts & other particulates, pollen, CO2, CO, O3, NOx, SO2, building
materials such as fiberglass
Q-What are the EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION?
 A- Air pollution can affect by two ways:
 Health aspects
Social & economic aspects
A-HEAITH ASPECTS:
Immediate effects: borne by respiratory system & resulting state is acute bronchitis
 If air pollution is intense - immediate death by suffocation may result
 Headache
 Irritation of eyes
Delayed effects of air pollution include:
 Chronic bronchitis
 Lung cancer
 Bronchial asthma
 Emphysema
 Respiratory allergies
 Elevated lead level in children - neuropsychological impairment measured by loss of IQ, poor school
performance and behavioral difficulties
 Damages human respiratory & cardiovascular system
 Elderly, children ,smokers & those with chronic respiratory difficulties most vulnerable .
  Degradation of soil and water, when air pollutants settle, toxic metals in soil, soils leached
 Damage to vegetation, including leaves, needles, fruit, growth rate, reproduction
 Chronic exposure of leaves to air pollutants can break down waxy coating that helps prevent
excessive water loss & leads to damage from diseases, pests, drought & frost

B- SOCIAL ASPECTS:
 Deterioration of man-made structures
– Break down of car paint
– Damage to roofs
– Acid rain chemically dissolves marble statues & other building materials
– Corrosion of metals
 Cost of cleaning and maintenance and repair and aesthetic nuisance
 Damage to the clothing
 Damage to the aquatic environment
 Reduces visual range & atmospheric clarity, less contrast, less visibility
Q-What are the HAZARDS OF UV RADIATION?
 A- Increased mutation rate
 Skin cancer & cataracts
 Depression of immune system
 Impaired crops & tree growth
 Death of plankton

Q-How can we reduced the air pollution?

COMMUNITY LEVEL: Recycle newspapers, aluminum & other materials
A- Plant trees and avoid purchasing products such as Styrofoam that contain CFCs
B- Begin a tree-watch group to ensure that they are well tended and cared for
GOVERNMENT LEVEL: Support much stricter clean air laws
 Enforcement of international treaties to reduce ozone depletion & slow global warming
 Focus on regional inter-Governmental cooperation - intercountry transfer of pollutants – cooperation
between countries essential
 Develop efficient public transport systems to reduce dependence on private cars
 Provide Government subsidies to encourage introduction of petrol with low sulphur & no lead
 INTERNATIONAL LEVEL :
Containment
 Means arresting pollutant air at the sources
 Enclosure , ventilation , air cleaning, neutralizing, detoxifying & final release in atmosphere so
that it is least toxic
 Arrestors are used for this purpose
Replacement
 Means either replacement of process that is causing air pollution or replacement of the substance used.
e.g.á use of electricity, natural gas, central heating instead of coal to reduce smoke
Dilution
 Valid as long as it is within the self cleaning capacity of environment
 Establishment of green belts b/w industrial and residential areas is an attempt at dilution
Legislation
 Air pollution control in many countries by suitable legislation e.g. “Clean Air Acts”
 Legislation covers matters as height of chimneys , powers of local authorities to carry out investigations,
research & education concerning air pollution, creation of smokeless zones & enforcement of standards
for ambient air quality
INTERNATIONAL ACTION
 WHO has established international network of laboratories for monitoring & study of factors causing
air pollution
 Issue warning instructions when & where necessary

Q) what are the different approached that may be required to control noise:

Ans:
1) Careful planning of cities:
A) Division of city into zones
B) The separation of residential areas from industry and transport
C) Widening of main streets

2) Control of Vehicles:
A) Heavy vehicles like trucks, trollies should not be routed in narrow streets
B) blowing of horns

3) To improve acoustic insulation of buildings:

Buildings should be sound proof where necessary.

4) Industries and railways:

Protective green belts must be laid down between the installation and residential areas.

5) Protection of exposed person:

hearing protection, who are exposed to noise louder than 85Db in the frequency bands above 150Hz.
-Periodic audiogram check ups
- use of ear plugs and muffs.

6) Legislation:
-legislation for noise pollutin
-workers should be have the right to claim

7) Education:
Education through all ways of communication, like available media is needed to highlight the
importance of this community hazard.

Q-Define heat stress.

Enumerate the factors which influence it.

Ans: heat stress is the burden or load of which heat that must be dissipated if the body is to remain in
thermal equilibrium.
The factors which influence the heat stress are the following:
1) metabolic rate
2) air temperature
3) humidity
4) air movements
5) radiant temperature

Q-What is the difference between heat stroke and heat cramps?

Ans: heat stroke.

Heat stroke is attributed to failure of heat regulating mechanism. It is charecterised by very high
temperature which may rise upto 110 degrees F and profound disturbances including delirium,
convulsions, partial or complete loss of consciousness.
The skin is dry and hot, sweating is absent.
Outcome is often fatal if the patient is not given proper medical treatment.
On the other hand, heat cramps: occur in people who do heavy muscular work in high temperatures and
humidity. These are painful, spasmodic contractions of skeletal muscles. The cause of heat cramps is loss
of sodium and chloride.
MCQS

1. Q- Water that contains offensive but not necessarily infectious material is called.
a) Polluted water
b) Contaminated water
c) Portable water
d) Safe water
e) Turbid water

2. Dental caries is due to lack of:

a) Chlorine
b) Fluorine
c) Iodine
d) Calcium
e) Folic acid

3. In water chlorination the recommended residual chlorine in water should be:

a) 0.5 mg/L
b) 1.0 mg/L
c) 1.5 mg/L
d) 2.0 mg/L
e) 2.5 mg/L

4. Vital layer is formed in:

a) Rapid sand filter
b) Slow sand filter
 c) Domestic filter
d) Commercial filters
e) Storage tank

5. T he disinfecting action of chlorine is mainly due to:

a) Chlorine atom
b) Chloride ion
c) Hypochlorous acid
d) Hypochlorite ion
e) Hydrogen ion

6. The faecal contamination of the water is indicated by presence of:

a) Staphlococcis
b) Shiegalla
c) Salmonalla
d) E-Coli.
e) Pneumococcus

7. Life threatening effect of global warming is.

a) Acidification of lakes
b) Starvation
c) Rise in sea level
d) Sever water shortage
e) Droughts

8. Major contribution in production of green house effect is by:

a) O2
b) Nitrogen
c) Chloro-floro-carbon
d) Hydrogen
e) Hydrogen per oxide

9. The air pollutant effecting the I.Q level/ nervous system of children is?
a) Lead
b) Mercury
c) Cadmium
d) Copper
e) Fluoride

10. The major cause of sick building syndrome is :

a) In adequate oxygen in the building
b) High temperature
c) Severe cold
d) Tobacco smoking
e) Over crowding
 11. Acid rain is mainly due to:
a) Carbonic acid
b) Phosphoric acid
c) Sulphuric acid
d) Acetic acid
e) Chloric acid
12. In the process of chlorination which of the following is the first choice
a. Chlorine powder
b. Chlorine gas
c. Multiple filter apparatus
d. All of above
e. None of above

1. The main greenhouse gas which is largely contributing to Global warming is

a. Carbon dioxide
b. Methane
c. Nitrous oxide
d. Fluorocarbons
e. Chlorofluorocarbon

2. In water chlorination, the recommended residual chlorine in water should be:

a)2mg/1
b) 2.5 mg/1
c) 0.5 mg/1
d) 1mg/1
e) 1.5 mg/1

3. For all water intend for drinking, E. coli must not be detectable in:
a) Any 100 ml sample
b) Any 200 ml sample
c) Any 300 ml sample
d) Any 400 ml sample
e) Any 500 ml sample

4. Important air pollutant is:

a) Carbon dioxide
b) Carbon monoxide
c) Hydrogen sulphide
d) Sulphur dioxide
e) Methane

5. ICRP recommended that the genetic dose of radiation from all sources to the whole
population:
a) 1 rem
b) 2 rems
c) 3 rems
 d) 4 rems
e) 5 rems

6-Horrock’s apparatus is used to find out the:

a. Iodine demand of water

b. Fluorine demand of water
c. Chlorine demand of water
d. Oxygen demand of water
e. Sodium demand of water

7- A condition known as ‘White Fingers’ due to vasospasm is because the effect of:

f. Atmospheric pressure
g. Vibrations
h. Noise
i. Ionizing radiation
j. High temperatures

MCQS
1. The population living in WahCantt is using water from a deep spring, which is considered to
be relatively free from organic contamination but rich in calcium bicarbonates and sulphates. On
account of properties that spring water has, protects people from:
a) Gastroenteritis
b) Ancylostomiasis
c)Atherosclerosis
d) Degenerative heart disease
e) Renal problems

2. A well was present in a rural area where an unsanitary bore-hole latrine with lots of flies was
present within 10 feet of distance. The disease more likely to be transmitted through drinking
this well water is:
a) Leishmaniasis
b) Ancylostomiasis
c) Typhoid
d) Trachoma
e) Dental caries

3. If a child has been drinking water containing 30 mg/L of nitrates the condition likely to occur
is:
a) Infantile Methemoglobinemia
b) Dental caries
c) E-coli enteritis
d) Entrobiasis
e)Botulism
4. Required amount of chlorine was added to a large body of water after sedimentation. The pH
of water was 4.0 and level of sulphides was negligible. A contact period of one hour was ensure
Eventually, it was found that chlorination was not successful. The likely reason was:
a) Low pH
d) Suspended impurities
b) Less contact time
e) Chemical antagonists
c)Less amount of chlorine

5. People of a village reported a high prevalence of bacterial gastroenteritis even after proper
chlorination of water supply for the recommended duration. On water analysis, level of chlorine
in water was 0.01 mg/L and pH of water was 6.5. There were no suspended impurities; levels of
sulphides and ferrous were low. The likely reason of increased bacterial gastroenteritis even after
chlorination is:
a) Low residual chlorine
b) High pH leading to chlorination failure
c)Presence of sulphides
d) Low level of ferrous
e) Inadequate contact tim
6. A water sample was taken from a source where catchment area included a large agricultural
land. It was declared unfit for human consumption on account of raised concentration of a
chemical. The likely chemical which has resulted in making this water unfit is:
a) Iodine
b) Chlorides
c) Calcium
d) Nitrite
e)Zinc

7. During a sanitary inspection of a rapid sand filtration plant, slowing of the filtration rate was
observed owing to loss of head. Which method will you suggest to give head to water in such a
situation?
a) Addition of alum
b) Scraping the top layer
c)Increasing duration of storage
d) Back washing of sand bed
e) The addition of lime or soda ash

8. You were required to chlorinate well water; you added required amount of bleaching powder
solution to the water and allowed an overnight contact tim What is your recommendation
regarding consumption of this water for drinking.
a) Fit for consumption
b) To be used after 12 hours
c)To be used after another 24 hours
d) Rechlorinate
e) May be used after boiling

9. A dental surgeon appointed in rural health centre reports an increased incidence of dental
carries in the children of that are the relevant preventive measure that he should suggest to the
health authorities is:
a) Fluoridation of water
b) Chlorination of water
c)Use of bacterial filter
d) Use of boiled water
e) Softening of hard water

10. Chlorination of water was done by addition of bleaching powder solution containing 10%
available chlorine One hour contact time was ensure What is your recommendation regarding
use of this water for drinking?
a) Fit for consumption
b) To be used after another 24 hours
c) Use after 06 hours
d) Rechlorinate
e)Use after 12 hours

11. Water samples from two villages of Punjab were sent to Health laboratory for examination.
Lab reports show fluoride levels ranging from 5.26 to 6.32 mg/lit. Use of this water for drinking
may lead to:
a) Dental caries
b) Periodontitis
c) Dental fluorosis
d) Alveolar abscess
e)Gingivitis

12. An out-break of scabies was reported in a Kachiabadi consisting of 500 people. The
appropriate preventive measures suggested by you would be to:
a) Filter the water
b) Improve accessibility to water
c)Destroy breeding sites of insects
d) Chlorinate water
e) Avoid bare footed watering of fields

13. A sample of water taken from a water storage tank of a residential area was to be examined
bacteriologically. A positive test of water sample by multiple tube method refers to the presence
of
a) Coli-form organisms
b) Fecal streptococci
c)Nitrites
e) Fungi
d) Cl. Perfringens

14. An epidemic of gastroenteritis affected more than 500 people in a city. Samples of water were
taken from different sites of the supply system. Bacteriological examination was positive for coli
forms. Chemical analysis of water showed the presence of high fluoride, nitrate, chloride and ph
of 6. Which content is suggestive of water born epidemic
a) Nitrates
b) Coli-forms
c) Chlorides
d) Fluoride
e)High pH

15. Different agents are used for chlorination of water on large scale. If after chlorination taste
of water is not much altered; level of residual chlorine is more stable and persistent. The likely
agent to be used for chlorination was:
a) Bleaching powder
b) Perchloron
c) Chlorine gas
d) Chloride ions
e)Chloramines

16. In a poor community, there is high prevalence of acute diarrhea cases. The best method for
preventing this health problem in the long run is:
a) Anti-diarrheal drugs.
b) Immunization against cholera and typhoid
c)Provision of sanitary latrine
d) Use of boiled water.
e) Living in fly proof zone

17. Six of the ten family members living in a single room house complain of intense itching with
scratching in axillae, groin and hands; it is more marked at night. The most likely diagnosis is:
a) Scabies
b)psoriasis
c)Eczema
d) Dermatitis
Q-major components of is:
A) oxygen
B) nitrogen
C) carbon dioxide
D) SO2
E) HS

Q-Perflation is:
A) blowing of wind through a room
B) replacement if vitiated air by a supply of fresh outdoor air
C) when the doors and window facing each other are kept open, the wind passes through and through.
D) motionless wind
E) suction effect of the wind

Q-All are non-audiory effect of noise except:

A) giddiness
B) visual disturbance
C) interference with speech
D) auditory fatigue
E) high blood pressure

Q-Auditory fatigue starts appearing at:

A) 90db
B) 80db
C) 100db
D) 70db
E) 120db

Q-Pyschrometer is used for measuring

A) height from sea level
B) mental alertness
C) depth from centre of earth
D) Humidity
E) strength of a metal

Q-Absolute humidity is weight of water vapours in:

A) grams per cubic meter of air
B) grams per cubic centimetre of air
C) in Ibs per cubic foot of air
D) Ibs per cubic inch of air
E) in milligrams per cubic centimetres of air

Q-Relative humidity is the percentage of moisture:

A) at sea level
B) at a height of 1000 meter
C) in the air
D) in the planes
E) after the rain

Q-The most important target for cell killing by ionizing radiation is:
A) DNA
B) RNA
C) cell nucleus
D) mitochondria
E) golgi bodies

Q-Ozone layer is damaged by

A) ultraviolet rays
B) chlorofluorocarbons
C) methane
D) carbon dioxide
E) suphur dioxide

Q-Green house effect and global warmibg

All are green house gases except
A) ozone
B) chlorofluorocarbons
C) methane
D) carbon dioxide
E) sulphur dioxide

Q-Acid rain is mainly due to:

A) nitric acid
B) sulphuric acid
C) sodium hydrochloride
D) acetic acid
E) carbonic acid

Q-Solid excreta which settle down in the septic tank is called

A) sullage
B) scum
C) sewage
D) slugde
E) sewer
Q-Semi liquid or liquid waste which rises to the surface in the septic tank is called
A) sullage
B) scum
C) sewage
D) sludge
E) sewer

Q-Waste water from kitchens and bathrooms which does not contain human excreta is called:
A) sullage
B) scum
C) sewage
D) slugde
E) sewer

12. Water that contains offensive but not necessarily infectious material is called.
f) Polluted water
g) Contaminated water
h) Portable water
i) Safe water
j) Turbid water

13. Dental caries is due to lack of:

 f) Chlorine
g) Fluorine
h) Iodine
i) Calcium
j) Folic acid

14. In water chlorination the recommended residual chlorine in water should be:
f) 0.5 mg/L
g) 1.0 mg/L
h) 1.5 mg/L
i) 2.0 mg/L
j) 2.5 mg/L

15. Vital layer is formed in:

f) Rapid sand filter
g) Slow sand filter
h) Domestic filter
i) Commercial filters
j) Storage tank

16. T he disinfecting action of chlorine is mainly due to:

f) Chlorine atom
g) Chloride ion
h) Hypochlorous acid
i) Hypochlorite ion
j) Hydrogen ion

17. The faecal contamination of the water is indicated by presence of:

f) Staphlococcis
g) Shiegalla
h) Salmonalla
i) E-Coli.
j) Pneumococcus

1. Which of the following is not the source of hospital waste?

a. Medical research and training establishment
b. Mortuaries
c. Animal houses
d. Sewerage material
e. Paper materialss

2. Segregation of various types of hospital wastes should be done at:

a. Point of generation
b. During transportation
c. During storage pending final disposal
d. At the time of incineration
 e. Not needed at all
3. Which of the following colour codes is used for the Risk Waste?
a. Red
b. Yellow
c. Black
d. Green
e. White
4. Triage is:
a. Treating the mentally ill patients
b. Treatment given in nursing homes
c. Treating the most serious cases first
d. Treatment on the basis of “first come first treat’
e. Treating the patients with better prognosis on priority

5. Soiling index is an indicator of:

a. Air pollution
b. Water pollution
c. Sewage
d. Soil pollution
e. Blockade of vital layer in slow sand filter
6. Which is the most sensitive indicator of recent fecal contamination of drinking water?
a. E.coli
b. Cl.perfrigens
c. Entamebahistolytica
d. Kebsiella
e. Proteus