Chapter 19 Environmental Issues

Harm to humans from radon is greatest: a. in well-insulated homes b. outdoors c. in cities d. in high-rise office buildings e. near nuclear power plants

a. in well-insulated homes

Electrostatic precipitators, and scrubbers in smokestacks, are used primarily to remove which air pollutant? a. particulate matter b. ozone c. carbon dioxide d. lead e. oxygen

a. particulate matter

The difference between primary and secondary air pollutants is that primary air pollutants: a. are smaller, primary molecules b. enter the atmosphere directly, whereas secondary pollutants form from other substances released into the atmosphere c. are not harmful to humans, whereas secondary air pollutants may be toxic to humans d. only affect plants, while secondary pollutants affect plants and animals e. are the direct result of natural processes, whereas secondary air pollutants are the result of human activity

b. enter the atmosphere directly, whereas secondary pollutants form from other substances released into the atmosphere

Lead in the atmosphere has decreased significantly since the 1970s primarily due to: a. new CAFE standards for automobiles b. replacing leaded gasoline with unleaded gasoline c. the invention of the catalytic converter d. increased use of scrubbers in coal-fired power plants e. the phasing out of leaded paint in buildings

b. replacing leaded gasoline with unleaded gasoline

Forest decline can be caused by all of the following EXCEPT: a. ozone b. lead c. radon d. acid deposition e. insects

c. radon

Air pollution is a greater health threat to children than adults because: a. children's lungs are still developing b. children breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults c. children need more oxygen than adults d. All of these choices are correct e. children have a higher metabolic rate than adults

d. All of these choices are correct

All of the following are sources of indoor air pollution except: a. Asbestos b. Radon c. Cigarette smoke d. Carbon monoxide e. Ozone

e. Ozone

In the absence of air pollution control devices, which of the following is the most significant source of sulfur dioxide? a. refrigeration and air conditioning b. fertilizers c. fire retardants d. motor vehicles e. coal-burning power plants

e. coal-burning power plants

Which of the following is NOT an effect of acid deposition? a. destruction of monuments and buildings b. forest decline c. decreased hatching success in some birds d. decline in aquatic animal populations e. mutations and skin cancer

e. mutations and skin cancer

Which of the following air pollutants is correctly paired with one of its major effects? a. carbon oxides — corrosion of metal b. nitrogen oxides — blocks UV radiation c. hydrocarbons — reduced visibility d. particulate matter — production of photochemical smog e. sulfur oxides — acid precipitation

e. sulfur oxides — acid precipitation