Environmental Non-infectious Diseases and Atmospheric Pollution

Practice questions covering definitions, causes, symptoms, and prevention of environmental diseases like skin cancer, cirrhosis, and asthma, alongside atmospheric science and pollution.

What are environmental diseases?

Non-infectious diseases associated with various factors in the environment, including toxins and radiation.

What are the four distinct layers of the Earth's atmosphere?

The Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, and Troposphere.

In which atmospheric layer is the ozone layer found?

The Stratosphere.

What is skin cancer and what is its main contributing factor?

Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells, primarily caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

What are the common symptoms of skin cancer?

A new spot on the skin or changes in the size, shape, or color of an existing spot.

Which type of UV radiation has the shortest wavelength and is completely absorbed by the ozone layer?

UV-C.

How does the stratospheric ozone molecule form?

UV radiation breaks the bonds within diatomic oxygen molecules to form atomic oxygen, which then reacts with other oxygen molecules to form ozone.

What are ODS and what is a primary example mentioned in the text?

Ozone depleting substances, which usually contain chlorine or bromine; Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are one of the main groups.

What is the Montreal Protocol of 1987?

An international agreement resulting from the Vienna Convention aimed at protecting the ozone layer by reducing the production of pollutants.

What is cirrhosis of the liver?

Scarring caused by long-term damage (such as alcohol abuse or hepatitis infection) where scar tissue prevents the liver from working properly.

What toxic carcinogen is alcohol converted into by liver cells before becoming acetate?

Acetaldehyde.

What are the symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver?

Jaundice, bleeding/bruising easily, dark pee, tarry looking poo, and vomiting blood.

What is asthma and how is it triggered?

A chronic inflammatory disease of the airway caused by exposure to allergens (pollen, dust mites) or non-allergens (smoke, air pollutants).

How does sulphur dioxide ($SO_2$) specifically affect asthma patients?

It is a toxin from fossil fuel combustion that causes inflammation and constriction of the airways, obstructing airflow to the lungs.

What are primary pollutants?

Pollutants directly emitted from their source into the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, water vapour, nitrogen oxide, and sulphur dioxide.

What is the health risk difference between $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ particulates?

Larger particulates ($PM_{10}$) increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, while smaller particulates ($PM_{2.5}$) increase the risk of respiratory diseases.

How is tropospheric (ground-level) ozone formed?

It forms when sunlight reacts with pollutants like nitrogen oxides ($NO_x$) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cars and factories.

What are the consequences of tropospheric ozone on human health and plants?

In humans, it leads to respiratory problems and eye irritation; in plants, it hinders growth by damaging cells and limiting photosynthesis.

What is photochemical smog?

A mixture of atmospheric gases and pollutants, including tropospheric ozone, which often forms in bright sunlight with slow winds.