Impact of Pollutants on Human Health MCQ Quiz in मल्याळम - Objective Question with Answer for Impact of Pollutants on Human Health - സൗജന്യ PDF ഡൗൺലോഡ് ചെയ്യുക

Carbon dioxide contributes more among the man-made contributions to global emissions (million tonnes per year) is more compared to that from natural sources.

• Man-made sources of global emissions of gases are called anthropogenic causes of air pollution.
• Carbon dioxide (CO2) makes up the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions from the sector, but smaller amounts of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are also emitted.
• These gases are released during the combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, to produce electricity.
• Contribution to global warming as a Greenhouse gas.
• The rapid increase in surface temperature.

Effect the climate change

• Thermal expansion and ocean acidification also caused
• Headache, restlessness, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, etc. found

The correct option is 'A - I, B - II, C - III, D - IV'.

Key Points

• Vector-borne diseases are transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas.
  • Example: Malaria
    • Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes.
• Water-borne diseases are caused by pathogens in contaminated water.
  • Example: Cholera
    • Cholera is an infection of the small intestine by some strains of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, often spread through contaminated drinking water.
• Air-borne diseases are spread through the air by droplets or dust.
  • Example: Tuberculosis
    • Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, which spreads through the air when people with active TB cough, sneeze, or speak.
• Soil-transmitted diseases are caused by pathogens in the soil.
  • Example: Hookworm infection
    • Hookworm infection is caused by a type of parasitic worm that lives in the small intestine and is acquired through contact with contaminated soil.

Therefore the correct pairing is:

A - I: Vector-borne diseases - Malaria

B - II: Water-borne diseases - Cholera

C - III: Air-borne diseases - Tuberculosis

D - IV: Soil-transmitted diseases - Hookworm infection

Key Points

• Sulfate aerosols are not primary pollutants because they are not emitted directly into the atmosphere.
• Instead, they are formed when primary pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), react with other substances in the atmosphere, such as water vapour.
• When SO2 reacts with water vapor, it forms sulfuric acid, which can then react with other chemicals in the atmosphere to form sulfate aerosols.
• These sulfate aerosols are tiny particles that can remain suspended in the atmosphere for long periods of time.

Statement II: Sulphate aerosols have cooling effect on climate.

• Sulfate aerosols can have a cooling effect on climate by reflecting sunlight back into space.
• This is because the sulfate particles scatter sunlight, which makes it less likely that sunlight will reach the Earth's surface.
• However, the cooling effect of sulfate aerosols is relatively small compared to the warming effect of greenhouse gases.
• Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, which causes the Earth's temperature to rise.
• In recent years, there has been a decrease in the emissions of sulfur dioxide, which has led to a decrease in the amount of sulfate aerosols in the atmosphere.
• This decrease in sulfate aerosols has contributed to a slight increase in global temperatures.

Here are some additional details about sulfate aerosols:

• They are typically found in the lower atmosphere, where they can significantly impact air quality.
• They can harm human health, causing respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis.
• They can also contribute to the formation of acid rain, which can damage ecosystems and infrastructure.
• Several things can be done to reduce the emissions of sulfate aerosols, such as using cleaner fuels, improving energy efficiency, and reducing deforestation. By taking these steps, we can help to improve air quality and protect the environment.

Therefore, Statement I is false, but Statement II is true.

The correct answer is 1987.

Key Points

• The Mental Health Act 1987
  • It is an Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to the treatment and care of mentally ill persons, to make better provision with respect to their property and affairs, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
  • It extends to the whole of India.
  • It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification, appoint and different dates may be appointed for different States and for different provisions of this Act, and any reference in any provision to the commencement of this Act in a State shall be constructed as a reference to the coming to force of that provision in that State.

Additional Information

• The Mental Health Act 2017
  • The Mental Health Care Act 2017 was passed on 7 April 2017 and came into force on 29 May 2018.
  • This Act superseded the previously existing mental Health Act, 1987 that was passed on 22 May 1987.
  • The 2017 Act recognizes the agency of people with mental illness, allowing them to make decisions regarding their health, given that they have the appropriate knowledge to do so.
  • The Mental Health Care Act 2017 includes provisions for the registration of mental health-related institutions and for the regulation of the sector

The correct answer is Arsenic.

• Minamata is caused due to Mercury pollutant, similarly Black foot disease is caused by Arsenic pollution.

Key Points

Minamata disease: It is a neurological syndrome which is caused as a result of industrial pollution and environmental contamination.

• Originated in Minamata Japan in 1956.
• Symptoms: The pollutant causes sever damage to the Central nervous system.
  • Loss of motor control.
  • Partial Paralysis.
  • Sensory motor affected.
  • Speech impairment.

Black foot disease: Drinking Arsenic-rich water over a long period results in Black-foot disease.

• Peripheral vascular disease.
• Blood vessels in the lower limbs are severely damaged.

Additional Information

• Nitrate is a chemical found in most fertilizers and liquid waste discharged from septic tanks.
• Natural bacteria in soil can convert nitrogen into nitrate.
• Rain or irrigation water can carry nitrate down through the soil into groundwater.

Blue baby Syndrome/Methemoglobinemia (MetHb):​

• It is a blood disorder that can lead to an abnormal amount of methemoglobin being produced.
• Haemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries and distributes oxygen to the body.
• Methemoglobin is a form of haemoglobin.
• With methemoglobinemia, the haemoglobin can carry oxygen but is not able to deliver it effectively to body tissues.
• It can potentially cause more serious symptoms due to insufficient oxygen.
• The disease can be caused by intake of water and vegetables high in nitrate, exposure to chemicals containing nitrate or can even be hereditary.
• Infants who drink water with high levels of nitrate (or eat foods made with nitrate-contaminated water) may develop a serious health condition due to the lack of oxygen.
• They show signs of blueness around the mouth, hands and feet and hence the name “Blue baby Syndrome”.

Hence, it can be concluded that blue-baby syndrome can occur due to the excess of nitrates in the drinking water.

• Calcium intake from drinking water can cause gastric cancer.
• Magnesium intake from drinking water (~250 mg/l each) can have a laxative effect.
• Pesticides intake from drinking water can cause chronic health problems.

The correct response is to establish a water treatment infrastructure to remove nitrates.

Key Points

While awareness campaigns and healthcare training are important, addressing the root cause of exposure through water treatment is the most sustainable and effective prevention strategy.
Investing in infrastructure like filter systems or alternative water sources can eliminate nitrate contamination at its source and protect entire communities.
Advanced diagnostic equipment and specialized treatments, though valuable, might not be readily accessible or affordable in resource-limited settings.
Therefore, option (3) prioritizes long-term prevention and reduces reliance on individual medical interventions.

Additional Information 

• Blue Baby Syndrome, also known as methemoglobinemia, is a condition where the blood's ability to carry oxygen is impaired. This can lead to a bluish skin discoloration, particularly around the lips and fingertips, hence the name "blue baby."
• However, it's important to remember that this condition isn't always visible at birth and the bluish hue can vary in intensity. Let's explore the causes and impacts of Blue Baby Syndrome:

Causes:

• Nitrates: This is the most common cause in developing countries, particularly due to exposure to nitrate-contaminated water sources. Nitrates react with hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells, converting it to methemoglobin, which cannot effectively transport oxygen.
• Genetic mutations: Certain inherited genetic variations can affect the body's ability to produce or regulate methemoglobin levels, leading to the syndrome.
• Certain medications: Some medications, like methemoglobin-inducing anesthetics, can temporarily cause this condition.
• Other factors: Rare conditions like exposure to certain chemicals or toxins can also trigger Blue Baby Syndrome.

Impacts:

• Oxygen deprivation: The main concern with methemoglobinemia is the reduced oxygen delivery to tissues and organs. This can lead to symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and even seizures in severe cases.
• Delayed development: In infants and young children, oxygen deprivation can affect growth and development, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosis and Treatment:

Blood tests can confirm the presence of methemoglobin and determine its cause.
Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and its underlying cause. In mild cases, simply removing the source of exposure (e.g., switching to a clean water source) might be sufficient.
For moderate to severe cases, medications like methylene blue can help convert methemoglobin back to hemoglobin, restoring oxygen-carrying capacity.
Prevention:

• Ensuring access to clean drinking water in vulnerable communities can significantly reduce nitrate-related cases of Blue Baby Syndrome.
• Genetic counseling can be helpful for families with a history of the condition to understand potential risks and plan accordingly.
• Raising awareness about the early symptoms and seeking prompt medical attention is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective management.

• Toxic effects that occur at multiple sites is known as systematic toxicity.
• There are various types of systematic toxicity as follows,
  • Chronic toxic effects: cumulative damage to specific organ systems and takes many months or years to become a recognizable clinical disease. It results from a single dose of a very high toxic substance or continuous exposure to a sub-lethal dose. 
  • Acute toxic effects: occurs immediately after exposure, usually, a single dose or a series of doses is received within 24 hours. The survival rate is very low, death is a major concern.
  • Carcinogenicity
  • Developmental toxic effect
  • Genetic toxicity

Therefore, Statement I is correct but Statement II is false.

The correct answer is Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.

Statement I: Dioxins and other chlorinated hydrocarbons have been shown to accumulate to dangerous levels in fish and fish eating birds.

• Dioxins and other chlorinated hydrocarbons are highly persistent and can remain in the environment for a long time.
• These chemicals have been shown to accumulate in the food chain, especially in fish and fish-eating birds.
• This is because these animals consume contaminated prey, which leads to the accumulation of these chemicals in their tissues.
• This can lead to dangerous levels of dioxins and chlorinated hydrocarbons in the bodies of these animals, which can have harmful effects on their health.
• For example, exposure to high levels of dioxins has been linked to cancer, developmental and reproductive problems, and immune system damage in animals and humans.
• Therefore, it is important to monitor the levels of these chemicals in the environment and take steps to reduce their release into the ecosystem.

Statement I is correct.

Statement II: Dioxins are highly toxic; even exposure to its extremely low concentration can cause birth defects, genetic disorder and cancer.

• Statement II is a valid and scientifically supported assertion. Dioxins are highly toxic and exposure to even low levels of dioxins over a long period of time can cause serious health effects in humans and animals, including birth defects, genetic disorders, and cancer.
• Dioxins are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that do not break down easily in the environment and can accumulate in the food chain,
• Particularly in fatty tissue of animals, including fish and fish-eating birds.
• Therefore, it is important to monitor and control the release of dioxins and other chlorinated hydrocarbons into the environment to minimize their harmful effects on living organisms.

Statement II is correct.

Carbonaceous aerosols include an organic fraction, named organic carbon (OC), and a refractory light-absorbing component generally referred to as elemental carbon  or black carbon

• A carcinogen is an agent with the capacity to cause cancer in humans. Carcinogens may be natural, such as aflatoxin, which is produced by a fungus and sometimes found on stored grains, or manmade, such as asbestos or tobacco smoke. Carcinogens work by interacting with a cell's DNA and inducing genetic mutations.

• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of chemicals that occur naturally in coal, crude oil, and gasoline.
• They also are produced when coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage, and tobacco are burned.
• PAHs generated from these sources can bind to or form small particles in the air. High-temperature cooking will form PAHs in meat and in other foods. Naphthalene is a PAH that is produced commercially in the United States to make other chemicals and mothballs. Cigarette smoke contains many PAHs.
• People are usually exposed to mixtures of PAHs. Breathing air contaminated with motor vehicle exhaust, cigarette smoke, wood smoke, or fumes from asphalt roads are common ways exposure occurs.
• After PAHs are swallowed, breathed in, or in some cases, passed through the skin, the body converts PAHs into breakdown products called metabolites that pass out of the body in the urine and feces.
• Human health effects from environmental exposure to low levels of PAHs are unknown. Large amounts of naphthalene in the air can irritate eyes and breathing passages. Workers who have been exposed to large amounts of naphthalene from skin contact with the liquid form and from breathing naphthalene vapor have developed blood and liver abnormalities. Several of the PAHs and some specific mixtures of PAHs are considered to be cancer-causing chemicals.

Therefore Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).