Environmental Forensics

Question 1

What is the environment?

Answer 1

The environment can be described as an ecological system, circumstances, or conditions that encircles an organism or the community (food web/chain) in which they reside.

Question 2

What is pollution?

Answer 2

Pollution of the environment is a result of the introduction of chemical compounds from anthropogenic sources.

Question 3

What are anthropogenic sources?

Answer 3

*Picric Acid (PA or TNP) & other explosives,
* Organophosphorus compounds (e.g. CWA’s & pesticides)
* Heavy metal ions (Pb2+, Cd2+ ,and Hg2+)

Question 4

How has Pb concentration affected the human race?

Answer 4

Acute or chronic exposure in children who are exposed to lead, has a blood lead (B-Pb) levels of 100-150 μg/L. And B-Pb levels below 100 μg/L are still considered dangerous.

Question 5

How has soil lead concentration affected human health?

Answer 5

Soil lead concentrations less than 50 ppm or 10 mg/kg – 30 mg/kg are considered natural, while concentrations above 400 ppm are considered harmful to human health.

Question 6

What are Organophosphorus Chemical Warfare Agents (CWA’s)?

Answer 6

CWA’s are any chemical substance whose toxic properties are utilized to kill, injure or incapacitate an enemy in warfare and associated military operations.

Question 7

Environmental Management System are determined by

Answer 7

1. Environmental Monitoring (EM)
2. Environmental Audit (EA)
3. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)