Mock Exam 1 Environmental Health

Which statement about the epidemiologic triangle is FALSE?

Removing the host from the model does not affect disease transmission.

Which is an example of an anthropogenic environmental hazard?

Industrial chemical waste

Which of the following is primarily a HOST factor?

Age

Children living near highways have higher asthma rates, but they are also exposed to secondhand smoke at home. What is the greatest epidemiologic concern?

Confounding

Which historical figure first linked an environmental exposure to cancer?

Percival Pott

Which measure of association should be used in a case-control study?

Odds Ratio

Which study design generally provides the strongest evidence for causation?

Cohort

In a cohort study, the incidence among exposed persons is 30/100 and among unexposed persons is 10/100. What is the relative risk?

3

In a case-control study:

	Disease	No Disease
Exposed	60	40
Unexposed	20	80

What is the odds ratio?

6

Case Fatality Rate measures:

Deaths among diagnosed cases

Which statement about toxic substances is FALSE?

Toxicants and toxins always mean the same thing.

UV radiation is best classified as:

Toxic agent

Ricin produced by castor beans is classified as a:

Toxin

LD50 is most useful for:

Comparing toxicities of chemicals

Which route of exposure generally results in the fastest systemic distribution?

Inhalation

Which step is NOT part of risk assessment?

Policy Implementation

Which risk assessment step estimates how much exposure occurs?

Exposure Assessment

Which is NOT one of the major environmental policy principles discussed in lecture?

Absolute Zero Risk Principle

Which statement about EIAs and HIAs is FALSE?

HIAs and EIAs are identical processes.

Environmental health policy in the United States is largely based on risk assessment and risk management.

False

What is the primary goal of risk management?

Identify and control risks to minimize harm

Which agency creates and enforces workplace safety regulations?

OSHA

Which agency conducts research and provides recommendations to reduce workplace illness and injury?

NIOSH

Which agency regulates air and water quality in the United States?

EPA

Which agency serves as a U.S. public health agency focused on chemical safety?

ATSDR

Which law established the Superfund program?

CERCLA

Which law requires environmental impacts to be considered before major projects are approved?

NEPA

Which organization promotes health worldwide through international leadership and coordination?

WHO

Which statement best distinguishes bioaccumulation from biomagnification?

Bioaccumulation occurs in one organism; biomagnification occurs through food chains.

A pregnant woman frequently consumes large predatory fish. Which metal exposure is of greatest concern?

Mercury

Which metal is most strongly associated with reduced IQ and developmental delays in children?

Lead

Which exposure source is historically associated with lead poisoning?

Lead-based paint

Inorganic arsenic exposure is strongly linked to which outcome?

Skin lesions and multiple cancers

Which disease-vector pair is INCORRECT?

Rabies — Housefly

Which vector is considered biological?

Mosquito transmitting malaria

Which environmental factor contributes MOST directly to vector-borne disease spread?

Climate and habitat changes

A pathogen multiplies within a mosquito before transmission. This is an example of:

Biological transmission

Which pesticide class is most persistent in the environment?

Organochlorines

DDT is most appropriately classified as a(n):

Organochlorine

Which chemical is best known for leukemia risk?

Benzene

What is the major concern regarding BPA exposure?

Endocrine and developmental effects

Which population is generally at greatest risk for pesticide exposure?

Agricultural workers

Which form of radiation generally poses the greatest health risk because it can damage DNA through ionization?

Ionizing radiation

Radon is especially important because it:

Is a major cause of lung cancer, especially in nonsmokers

Which exposure is ionizing radiation?

Gamma rays

Which exposure is nonionizing radiation?

Microwaves

Which major nuclear disaster exposed large portions of Europe and led to increased thyroid cancer and leukemia?

Chernobyl

OSHA's role in radiation safety primarily includes:

Regulating workplace radiation exposures

A community installs a modern drinking water system, reducing waterborne disease. However, increased industrialization increases air pollution exposure. This best illustrates:

Environmental risk transition

Which statement would BEST satisfy Hill's criterion of temporality?

Individuals diagnosed with lung cancer were more likely to smoke before cancer developed.