QUIZ #2 - Pollution - on 4/30

Question 1

According to the textbook, where might you expect to find higher levels of radon gas in the United States?

Answer 1

Iowa and Southern Minnesota

Question 2

Which of the following is true concerning a thermal inversion?

it occurs when there is a cold layer of air at mid altitudes that is covering a warm less dense layer of air near the surface of Earth

it occurs when there is an absence of cold air at all altitudes causing temperatures to warm drastically due to adiabatic heating

it occurs when there is a warm layer of air at mid altitudes that is covering a cold dense layer of air near the surface of Earth

all of the answers listed are correct

Answer 2

it occurs when there is a warm layer of air at mid altitudes that is covering a cold dense layer of air near the surface of Earth

Question 3

According to the textbook, radon gas is usually formed from the decay of _________ and exists in ___________ rocks.

Answer 3

uranium, granitic

Question 4

According to our textbook, which indoor pollutant is considered the most dangerous to human health?

Answer 4

carbon monoxide

Question 5

What causes “smog” to form?

Answer 5

high levels of particulate matter

Question 6

According to the textbook, which disease is most attributed to exposure to asbestos?

Answer 6

Mesothelioma

Question 7

According to our class discussion on acid rain, which of the following is true?

it is caused by low levels of nitrogen oxides in the air and is most common in the southeast United States

it is caused by low levels of nitrogen oxides in the air and is most common in the northeast United States

it is caused by high levels of nitrogen oxides in the air and is most common in the northwest United States

it is caused by high levels of nitrogen oxides in the air and is most common in the northeast United States

Answer 7

it is caused by high levels of nitrogen oxides in the air and is most common in the northeast United States

Question 8

Embryos and fetuses are most affected by which chemical pollutant?

Answer 8

Correct answer:

teratogens

Question 9

The West Palestine train derailment occurred in ___________.

Answer 9

Ohio

Question 10

The West Palestine train derailment occurred on _________________.

Answer 10

February 3, 2023

Question 11

The West Palestine train derailment produced a carcinogen called ________________.

Answer 11

vinyl chloride

Question 12

Which type of pollution comes from a distinct source?

Answer 12

point source

Question 13

Main sources of outdoor pollution: Coal and Oil

Answer 13

Coal combustion releases the most air pollutants including carbon dioxide. Oil is slightly less in releasing pollutants

Question 14

Main sources of outdoor pollution: sulfur dioxide

Answer 14

corrosive gas released by combustion of fuels originating with coal and oil diesel gas

Question 15

Main sources of outdoor pollution: nitrogen oxides

Answer 15

results from pollution reacting with nitrogen in atmosphere; mostly from motor vehicles; can lead to acid rain

Question 16

Main sources of outdoor pollution: carbon dioxide

Answer 16

colorless, odorless gas formed during COMPLETE combustion of matter; greenhouse gas

Question 17

Main sources of outdoor pollution: carbon monoxide

Answer 17

colorless, odorless gas formed during INCOMPLETE combustion of mater; can be dangerous indoor pollutant

Question 18

Main sources of outdoor pollution: particulate matter

Answer 18

solid or liquid particles suspended in the air; comes from combustion of wood, manure, coal, oil, gas, known as “soot particles” (smog and/or haze)

Question 19

thermal inversions

Answer 19

a thermal inversion is an atmospheric condition in which a warm layer of air at mid-altitudes covers a layer of colder air

Question 20

indoor air pollutants

Answer 20

-compounds that adversely affect the quality of air in buildings and structures
-carbon monoxide
-dust
-mold
-asbestos
-smoke
-radon gas

Question 21

point source

Answer 21

distinct source from which pollution is directly produced
ex: smoke stack

Question 22

non point source

Answer 22

diffuse area that produces pollution

ex farming region

Question 23

chemical pollutants

Answer 23

-include heavy metals and synthetic compounds produced naturally or by humans
ex: lead, arsenic, mercury (heavy metals)
ex: pesticides, fertilizers, GMOS (synthetics)

Question 24

neurotoxins

Answer 24

attack nervous system

Question 25

carcinogens

Answer 25

cancer causing chemical

Question 26

tertogens

Answer 26

affects embryos/fetuses

Question 27

allergens

Answer 27

can cause allergic reactions

Question 28

endocrine disruptor

Answer 28

affects hormones in body

Question 29

when did the chemical disaster in ohio occur

Answer 29

february 3, 2023

Question 30

what city/state did this event occur

Answer 30

West Palestine, Ohio

Question 31

in the accident, 50 train cars were derailed, 5 of which carried a specific toxic chemical called

Answer 31

vinyl chloride

Question 32

the vinyl chloride and other chemicals were detonated in a controlled

Answer 32

burn

Question 33

many fish and ____ were killed and there were radially unnatural behavior patterns for _____, birds and other species

Answer 33

chickens; foxes

Question 34

vinyl chloride boils at ___ degrees F, it is _____ flammable, and a 1 TARC ______. Vinyl chloride is one of the most likely chemicals to cause _____ in humans. In the Ohio disaster, there could be close to ______ gallons of vinyl chloride involved and burnt up into the atmosphere

Answer 34

7; highly; carcinogen; cancer; 150,000

Question 35

According to the ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substance Disease Registry) vinyl chloride in the air breaks down in a few ___ resulting in the formation of several other chemicals including ________, formaldehyde, and _____

Answer 35

days; hydrochloride; carbon dioxide

Question 36

why did the narrator choose to take data from New Jersey on vinyl chloride?

Answer 36

the next major vinyl chloride incident happened in NJ and he needed to compare

Question 37

How many gallons of vinyl chloride were spilled in the New Jersey Disaster

Answer 37

23,000 gallons (1/5-1/6 of Ohio)

Question 38

what is the name of the railroad company that is responsible for the train derailment in Ohio

Answer 38

Norfolk Southern Railroad

Question 39

Norfolk Southern Railroad donated ______ to the victims of the Ohio train derailment

Answer 39

$25,000