Air Pollution (ESC 202)

III SEM - B. TECH ESE (2020 MONSOON SEM)

Assignment 2 (October 2020) Total Marks: 40

Topics covered: Health effects, material effects, and sources of air pollutants.

1. The ___(a)_____the particle size, the more likely it will be deposited in lung tissue where adverse
effects may occur. _____(b)_____ particles are particularly harmful to lung tissue.
(1×2 = 2 marks)

2. ______(a)________ binds with human haemoglobin, rendering it unable to bind with O2. This may
result in _____(b)______ effects.
(1×2 = 2 marks)

3. Exposure to air pollutants such as __(a)___, ___(b)____, and ___(c)___ can result in asthmatic
attacks.
(1×3 = 3 marks)

4. The human respiratory system has defence mechanisms that protect it from airborne particles. Nasal
hairs prevent the passage of ____(a)_____ particle into the ___(b)_____. ____(c)_____particles are
removed in the nasal turbinates’ and cleared from respiratory airways by the cilia-mucus escalator.
Smaller particles deposited in air sacs are removed by macrophages and the cilia-mucus escalator.
(1×3 = 3 marks)
5. Which of the following statement is true?
a) Additive effects result when exposure to two or more pollutants having a similar effect occurs, with
the total response the sum of individual effects.
b) Synergistic effects result when exposure to two pollutants results in a response that is much greater
than the sum of individual effects.
c) Antagonistic effects result when exposure to two or more pollutants occurs, with the total response
less than the sum of individual effects.
(3 marks)
Choose the correct answer from the codes:
i. a & c
ii. a & b
iii. b & c
iv. All of the above
v. None of the above

6. Which of the following statement is false?

a) Chronic health effects result from short-term, high-level exposures.
b) Symptoms are usually experienced within hours for acute health effects.
c) Acute effects result from low-level, long-term exposures.
d) Disease syndromes develop several decades later for chronic health effects.
(4 marks)
Choose the correct answer from the codes:
i. a, b & c v. a&c
ii. a, d & b vi. a&d
iii. b, d & c vii. b&c
iv. b & d viii. All of the above
 ix. None of the above

7. The averaging times used for pollutants reflect exposure periods of public health concern. What
averaging times are used for the following pollutants: O3, PM10, CO, and SO2?
(1×4 = 4 marks)
i. O3: _________________
ii. PM10: _______________
iii. CO: _________________
iv. SO2 : ________________

8. Match the following health impacts of the air pollutants (4 marks)

List – I List – II
(i) Particulate matter                                       1. Myocardial ischemia
(ii) Ozone                                       2. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(iii) Oxides of nitrogen                                   3. Pulmonary fibrosis
(iv) Carbon monoxide             4. Eye and throat irritation

Codes :

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

(A) 2 4 3 1

(B) 3 1 2 4

(C) 4 1 2 3

(D) 1 4 3 2

9. Match List – I with List – II and choose the correct answer from the codes given below: (4
marks)

List – I                                    List – II

(Air Pollutants)                       (Sources / Activities)
a. Carbon monoxide                1. Coal burning
b. Nitrogen oxide                    2. Cigarette Smoking
c. Sulphur dioxide                   3. Chemical reaction with VOCs
d. Ozone                                 4. Power and Industrial Plant
Codes:
            a          b          c          d
(A)       2          4          1          3
(B)       1          2          3          4
(C)       3          1          4          2          
(D)       4          3          2          1

10. Which of the following is true for the NO2 effects: (4 marks)
 a) causes the reddish-brown haze in city air, which contributes to heart and lung problems and may be
carcinogenic.
b) NOx is an acid precursor which is a source of acid rain produced when nitrogen oxides combines
with water to produce nitric acid, HNO3, and other acids.
c) Nitrogen oxides are the precursors of nitrate particulates (nitrates) which affect the radiation balance
of the atmosphere and can contribute to global cooling.
d) Nitrogen oxides are major contributors to the formation of ground level ‘bad’ ozone.
e) It is highly poisonous to humans and most animals: when inhaled, it reduces the ability of blood
haemoglobin to attach oxygen.

Choose the correct answer from the codes:

i. a, b, c & d iv. e, d, c & a
ii. a , b, c & e v. All of the above
iii. b , d & e vi. None of the above

11. How are primary pollutants compared to secondary pollutants?

(1 marks)
a) Primary pollutants come from a single source of origin, whereas secondary pollutants come from
many sources.
b) Primary pollutants are air pollutants that are emitted directly from a source, whereas secondary
pollutants are formed when primary pollutants react chemically in the atmosphere.
c) Primary pollutants come from natural sources, while secondary pollutants come from human
activities.
d) Primary pollutants are gases, while secondary pollutants are liquids.

12. Which of these belongs to the category of criteria pollutants?

(1 mark)
a) Carbon monoxide
b) Lead
c) Ozone
d) All of the above

13. What is the range of vapour pressure of VOCs?

(1 mark)
a) High vapour pressure
b) Low vapour pressure
c) Depends on the concentration of VOCs
d) Depends on the type of VOCs

14. What are the effects of sulphur dioxide on the human body?
(1 mark)
a) It causes the malfunction of liver and kidney
b) It breaks down body’s immunity towards particulate matter and bacteria
c) It causes blood cells to dilate thereby affecting blood flow through the circulatory system
d) All of the mentioned

15. How does increase in temperature affect air pollution?

(1 mark)
 a) Higher temperatures reduce air pollution
b) Higher temperatures increase air pollution
c) Temperature does not affect the air pollution levels
d) Humidity factor is also necessary to predict variance of air pollution with temperature

16. The permissible concentration of PM10 in the air is ___________ and for PM2.5 is ________.
(2 marks)
3
a) 60μg/m
b) 40μg/m3
c) 50μg/m3
d) 20μg/m3