Question
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was amended in 1987 to include among pollutants [NEET (Oct.) 2020]
(a) vehicular exhaust
(b)allergy causing pollen
(c) noise
(d) particulates of size $2.5$ micrometer or below
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (c)
Air prevention and contral of pollution acts was amended in 1987 to include noise amany pallutants. This act is meant for preserving quality of air, controlling air and naise pollution and prevent their detrimental effects an human health and health of other biolagical entities.
Question
Due to increasing air-borne allergens and pollutants, many people in urban areas are suffering from respiratory disorder causing wheezing due to [NEET (National) 2019]
(a) inflammation of branchi and branchicles
(b) proliferatian of fincous tissues and damage of the alveolar walls
(c) reduction in the secretion of surfactants by pneumacytes
(d) benign growth on mucous lining af fasal cavity
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (a)
Wheezing occurs due to the inflammation of bronchi and bronchiales. It is ane of the most. significant feature of asthma in which people face difficulty in breathing. It is usually caused due to increasing air borne allergens and pollutants . The allergens stimulate the release of histamine from the mast cells which in turn contracts the smooth muscles of branchicles.
Question
03 Which of the following protocols did aim for reducing emission of chlorofluorocarbons into the atmosphere? [NEET (National) 2019]
(a) Kyoto Protocol
(b) Gothenburg Protocol
(c) Geneva Protocol
(d) Montreal Protocol
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (d)
Mantreal Protacal aimed to reduce the emission of chioraflucrocarbans into atmosphere because it has the deleterious effects an stratospheric ozone. This protocol was signed in Montreal, Canada in 1967. Kyote Protocol aimed to reduce the emission of $\mathrm{CO}_2, \mathrm{NO}_2$ and methane. It was signed by 160 countries in a convention held in Kyoto. Japan in 1997. Geneva Protacal is a treaty to prohibit the use of chemical or biolagical weapons in intemational armed conflicts. Gothenberg Protacal is a multipollutant pratocol which facuses to reduce eutraphications, scidification, emission standards for $\mathrm{SO}_2$, etc.
Question
Which of the following is a secondary pollutant? [NEET 2018]
(a) $\mathrm{SO}_2$
(b) $\mathrm{CO}_2$
(c) $\mathrm{CD}$
(d) $\mathrm{O}_1$
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (d)
Ozone $\left(0_2\right)$ is a secondary pollutant as it is formed by the reaction amongst the primary pallutants. On the other hand, $\mathrm{SO}_2$ is a primary pollutant. These pallutants persist in the environment in the form they are passed into it. CD is qualitative pollutant. It is cansidered as polutant anly when its ecncentration reaches beyond a threshold value in the enviranment. $\mathrm{CO}_2$ is a quantitative as well as a primary pollutant.
Question
Which one af the following statements is not valid for aerosols ? [NEET 2017]
(a) They are harmful ta human health
(b) They alter rainfall and monsoon patterns
(c) They cause increased agricultural praductivity
(d) They have negative ifmpact on agricultural land
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (c)
Aerosel refers to the suspended particulate matter of less thant $1 \mu \mathrm{m}$ size. These are kind of aif pollutants that are suspended in our atmosphere. They have a measurable effect on climate change as they can modily the amount of energy reflected by clouds.
As a result, they can change the atmospheric circulation pattems and affect agriculture fregatively. These also affect human health by causing breathing problefris.
Question
Which of the following are most suitable indicators of $\mathrm{SO}_2$ pollution in the emvironment? [CBSE AIPMT 2015]
(a) Lichens
(b) Conifers
(c)Algae
(d) Fungi
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (a)
Lichens are useful bioindicators for air pollution, especially sulphur dicoxide pollution, since they derive their water and essential nutrients mainly from the atmosphere rather than from soil.
Question
Acid rain is caused by increase in the atmospheric concentration of [CBSE AIPMT 2015]
(a) $\mathrm{SO}_2$ and $\mathrm{NO}_2$
(b) $\mathrm{SO}_3$ and $\mathrm{CO}$
(c) $\mathrm{CO}_2$ and $\mathrm{CO} $
(d) $\mathrm{O}_3$ and dust
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (a)
Acid rain is caused by increase in the atmospheric concentration of $\mathrm{SO}_2$ and $\mathrm{NO}_2$. These mix with water vapour to form sulphuric acid $\left(\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{SO}_4\right)$ and nitric acid $\left(\mathrm{HNO}_3\right)$ respectively which falls on earth in the form of acid rain.
Question
The UN conference of Parties on climate change in the year 2012 was held at [CBSE AIPMT 2015]
(a) Durban
(b) Doha
(c)Lima
(d) Warsaw
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (b)
The UN conference of Parties (CDP-18) was the UN framewark canvention on cimate change(UNFCCC) was held in Doha, Qatar from 26th Nov. to 8th Dec, 2012.
Question
$\mathrm{~A}$ scrubber in the exhaust of a chemical industrial plant removes [CBSE AIPMT 2014]
(a) Gases like sulphur dioxide
(b) Particulate matter of the size 5 micrameter or above
(c) Gases like azone and methane
(d) Particulate matter of the size $2.6$ micrameter or less
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (a)
Scrubber is an electrostatic precipitator in which the dirty air is cleaned by capturing the gas like $\mathrm{SO}_2$ and other axides in waterlime sprayi(aOO $\lambda 2$. The calcium in lime stone combines chemically with the sulphur to produce separately collected. The detailed mechanism is shown in the figure below:
Question
The Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act came into force in [NEET 2013]
(a) 1975
(b) 1981
(c) 1985
(d) 1990
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (b)
Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Protection Act come into force in 1981 to control and prevent air pollution. It was amended in 1987. Environmental Protection Act in 1986 and water [Prevention and Control of Pollution] act in 1974.
Question
Kyoto Protocol was endorsed at [NEET 2013]
(a) $\mathrm{CoP}-3$
(b) $\mathrm{CoP}-5$
(c) $\mathrm{CoP}-6$
(d) $\mathrm{CoP}-4$
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (a)
Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to United nations framework convention on climate change. It held at Kyoto, Japan in 1997 and entered into force on 16 February. 2005. The developed countries agreed to specific targets for cutting their emissions of greenhouse gases.
A general framework was defined for this, with specifics to be detailed over the next few years. This became known as the Kyoto Protocol.
Question
Which one of the following statements is wrong in case of Bhopal gas tragedy? [CBSE AIPMT 2011]
(a) Thousands of human being died
(b) adioactive fall out engulfed Bhopal
(c) It took place in the night of December 23, 1984
(d) Methyl isocyanate gas leakage took place
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (d)
Bhopal gas gragedy (Bhopal disaster) one of the world’s worst industrial catastrophes. It occurred on the night of December 23, 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited (UClL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. A leak of methyl isocyanate gas and other chemicals from the plant resulted in the exposure of hundreds of thousands af people.
The official immediate death toll was 2,259 and the govemment of Madhya Pradesh has confirmed a total of 3,787 deaths related to the gas releases.
Question
$ \mathrm{~dB}$ is a standard abbreviation used for the quantitative expression of [CBSE AIPMT 2010]
(a) the density of bacteria in a medium
(b) a particular pollutant
(c) the dominant Bocillus in a culture
(d) a certain pesticide
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (b)
Noise pollution is a physical form of pollution that affects the receiver directly affecting the nervous system which result into various disorders in humans. $\mathrm{dB}$ (decibel) is a standard abbreviation used for the quantitative expression of noise. Noise or pollutant sound has a value of $80 \mathrm{~dB}$ and above, it harms hearing system. The WHO has fixed $45 \mathrm{~dB}$ as the safe noise level for a city.
Question
Steps taken by the Government of India to control air pollution include [CBSE AIPMT 2009]
(a) compulsory mixing of $20 \%$ ethyl alcohol with petrol and $20 \%$ biodiesel with diesel
(b) compulsory PUC (Pollution Under Control] certification of petrol driven vehicles, which tests for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons
(c) permission to use only pure diesel with a maximum of $500 \mathrm{ppm}$ sulphur as fuel for vehicles
(d) use of non-polluting Compressed Natural Gas(CNG) only as fuel by all buses and trucks
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (b)
Government of India have taken many steps to control air pollution. Qut of which one includes compulsory PUC (Pollution Under Control) certification of petrol driven vehicles, which test for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons emissions of the vehicles.
Question
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which particulate size in diameter (in micrometres) of the air pollutants is responsible for greatest harm to human health? [CBSE AIPMT 2008]
(a) $2.5$ or less
(b) $1.5$ or less
(c) $1.0$ ar less
(d) $5.2$ or $2.5$
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (a)
According to CPCB, air pollutants of size $2.5$ or less (in micrometres) diameter are harmful to human health. It is the main cause of respiratory disorders in polluted cities like Delhi.
Question
In a coal fired power plant, electrostatic precipitators are installed to control emission of [CBSE AIPMT 2007]
(a) $\mathrm{SO}_2$
(b) $\mathrm{NO}_x$
(c) SPM
(d) $\mathrm{CD}$
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (c)
The electrostatic precipitors are installed to control emission of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) as it is cause of various respiratory disorders in humans.
Question
Lead concentration in blood is considered alarming if it is [CBSE AIPMT 2004]
(a) $20 \mu \mathrm{g} / 00 \mathrm{~mL}$
(b) $30 \mu g / 100 \mathrm{~mL}$(c)$ 4-6 \mu g / 100 \mathrm{~mL}$
(d)$ 10 \mu g / 100 \mathrm{~mL}$
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (b)
The concentration of lead in blood averages about $25 \mu \mathrm{g} / 100 \mathrm{~mL}$. Increase to $70 \mu \mathrm{g} / 100 \mathrm{~mL}$ is generally associated with clinical symptoms. Hence, a level of $30 \mu \mathrm{g} / 100 \mathrm{~mL}$ is considered alarming. The chief sources of $\mathrm{Pb}$ to water are the effluents of lead and lead processing industries.
Question
In 1984, the Bhopal gas tragedy took place because methyl isocyanate [CBSE AIPMT 2004]
(a) reacted with DDT
(b) reacted with ammonia
(c) reacted with $\mathrm{CO}_2$
(d) reacted with water
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (d)
Bhopal gas tragedy occurred (23 Dec. 1984) when MIC (Methyl Isocyanate) reacted with water in a tank, an exothermic chemical reaction started and produced a lot of heat. As a result, the safety valve of tank burst because of increase in pressure and gave rise to a heavy gas which rapidly killed the people around.
Question
What is the intensity of sound in normal conversation? [CBSE AIPMT 2001]
(a) $0-20 d B$
(b) $30-60 \mathrm{~dB}$
(c) 70-90 dB
(d) 120-150 dB
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (b)
The word noise is taken from the Latin word nausea and is defined as unwanted or unpleasant sound that causes discomfort. Intensity of some noise sources is as follows:
Question
Which of the following is pollution related disorder? [CBSE AIPMT 1999]
(a) Fluorosis
(b) Leprosy
(c) Pneumonicosis
(d) Silicosis
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (d)
Silicosis is a pollution related disorder. It is caused by inhalation of dust containing free silica or silicon dioxide especially by workers engaged in mining, pottery, ceramic industry, sand blasting, building and construction industries. Fluorosis is caused due to deficiency of fluoride. Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Pneumonicosis is caused by Diplococcus pneumoniae.
Question
Which of the following is a secondary pollutant? [CBSE AIPMT 1999]
(a) Aerosol
(b) $\mathrm{CO}$
(c) PAN
(d) $\mathrm{CO}_2$
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (c)
PAN (Peroxy Acetyl Nitrate) is secondary pollutant. Pollutants formed by the chemical interaction of primary pollutants with atmospheric gas and moisture, often catalysed by sunlight are called secondary pollutants.
Question
In 1984, Bhopal gas tragedy was caused due to the leakage of [CBSE AIPMT 1999]
(a) potassium isocyanate
(b) sodium monoxide
(c) sodium thiocyanate
(d) methyl isocyanate
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (d)
Methyl isocyanate gas, used as raw material for synthesising carbonyl, caused Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984.
Question
Carbon monoxide is a pollutant because [CBSE AIPMT 1998]
(a) it reacts with $\mathrm{O}_2$
(b) it inhibits glycolysis
(c) it reacts with haemoglobin
(d) it makes nervous system inactive
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (c)
Carbon monoxide, (CO) when inhaled, combines with blood haemoglobin to form carboxy haemoglobin at a rate 210 times faster than the oxygen forms axyhaemoglobin. Thus, respiration is impaired.
Question
The $\mathrm{CO}_2$ content by volume, in the atmospheric air is about [CBSE AIPMT 1997]
(a) $0.0314 \%$
(b) $0.34 \%$
(c) $3.34 \%$
(d) $4 \%$
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (a)
$\mathrm{CO}_2$ constitutes $0.0314 \%$ of the atmosphere. Producers use $\mathrm{CO}_2$ along with energy from sun and make carbon compounds such as glucose during the process of photosynthesis. Consumers use these compounds as energy source.
Question
The Taj Mahal is threatened due to the effect of [CBSE AIPMT 1995]
(a) oxygen
(b) hydrogen
(c) chlorine
(d) sulphur diaxide
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (d)
Taj Mahal of Agra is affected by gases discharged from oil refinery in Mathura which consists of $\mathrm{SO}_2, \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{~S}$ and nitrogen axide. $\mathrm{SO}_2$ corrodes metals, equipment and damages buildings marble.
Question
Sound becomes hazardous noise pollution at level [CBSE AIPMT 1994]
(a) above $30 \mathrm{~dB}$
(b) above $80 \mathrm{~dB}$
(c) above $100 \mathrm{~dB}$
(d) above $120 \mathrm{~dB}$
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (b)
Noise pollution is measured in decibels. Noise level up to $64 \mathrm{~dB}$ is well tolerated. Noise above $\mathrm{BD} \mathrm{dB}$ causes discomfort in man. WHO recommends an industrial noise limit of $75 \mathrm{~dB}$.
Question
Atmosphere of big/metropolitan cities is polluted most by [CBSE AIPMT 1994]
(a) automobile exhausts
(b) pesticide residue
(c) household waste
(d) radioactive fall-out
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (a)
Automabile exhausts are the largest source of air pollution in big cities. Automobiles release carbon monoxide (77.2\%) hydrocarbons (13.7\%) and nitrogen oxide (7.7\%).
Question
Major aerosol pollutant in jet plane emission is [CBSE AIPMT 1990]
(a) sulphur dioxide
(b) carbon monoxide
(c) methane
(d) chlorofluoro-carbons
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (d)
Aerosols are the chemicals released in air with force. Jet aeroplanes are important source of aerosol in upper atmosphere. Aerosols contain CFCs (Chlorofluoro Carbons).
Question
Which one is not a pollutant normally? [CBSE AIPMT 1988]
(a) Hydrocarbons
(b) Carbon dioxide
(c) Carbon monoxide
(d) Sulphur dioxide
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (b)
$\mathrm{CO}_2$ is an essential component of the air and its concentration is $0.03 \%$ but when $\mathrm{CO}_2$ concentration goes above this limit, it acts as a pollutant.
Question
Acid rains are produced by [CBSE AIPMT 1988]
(a) excess $\mathrm{NO}_2$ and $\mathrm{SO}_2$ from burning fossil fuels
(b) excess production of $\mathrm{NH}_3$ by industry and coal gas
(c) excess release of carbon monoxide by incomplete combustion
(d) excess formation of $\mathrm{CO}_2$ by combustion and animal respiration
Answer/Explanation
Ans. (a)
$\mathrm{SO}_2$ and $\mathrm{NO}_2$ are the gases responsible for acid rains. $\mathrm{SO}_2$ mainly comes from burning of coal, fossil fuel, in the form of smoke from industries.