Environmental Health Exam 1
Identify the historical figure who was among the first to expound on the role of environmental factors in causing diseases
Hippocrates
What type of interaction among several agents that have no known toxic effects produces a toxic effect?
Coalitive
Which of the following observational designs is used for hypothesis testing?
Cohort studies
MACT standards pertain to
Control of hazardous air pollutants
The Texas Sharpshooter Effect illustrates A new insect pest that is invading the southwest B. A description of disease according to person variables C. A description of disease according to etiologic factors D. One cause of spurious or chance clustering E. None of the above
D. One cause of spurious or chance clustering
Which of the following aspects is not included in the built environment?
Undeveloped land
Subacute exposures are those that last for
one month for less
Which of the following is not likely to characterize the approach of toxicology
Studies of disease occurrence in populations according to person variables
A national survey of asthma conducted on May 1, 2012 obtained the following results for the state of Oklahoma: • X--The number of residents with asthma • Y--The population of the state on June 30, 2012; all members of the population were considered at risk. • Z—The number of new cases of asthma diagnosed during 2012 Reference: Case study 1 The incidence rate of asthma during 2012 (per 100,000) would be expressed as
(Z/Y) × 100,000
A national survey of asthma conducted on May 1, 2012 obtained the following results for the state of Oklahoma: • X--The number of residents with asthma • Y--The population of the state on June 30, 2012; all members of the population were considered at risk. • Z—The number of new cases of asthma diagnosed during 2012 Reference: Case study 1 The incidence rate of asthma during 2012 (per 100,000) would be expressed as A. (X/Y) × 100,000 B. (Z/X) × 100,000 C. (Z/Y) × 100,000 D. (X/Z) × 100,000 E. None of the above
(Z/Y) × 100,000
Hill's criteria of causality include A. Strength B. Consistency C. Temporality D. Biological gradient E. All of the above
E. All of the above
The author of On Airs, Waters, and Places was
HIPOCCRATES
Environmental health comprises those aspects of human health that are determined by
All of the above
The Superfund was provided for by which of the following acts
CERCLA
In comparison with the general population, workers may receive exposures to toxic chemicals that are
. At higher concentrations for much longer time periods
The epidemiologic risk transition is characterized by a
. Growing burden of chronic, degenerative diseases
Match the agency with the function. 1. NIOSH 2. NIEHS 3. EEA 4. EPA 5. ATSDR A. Develop and enforce regulations that implement environmental laws enacted by Congress B. Conduct research to reduce work-related injuries and illnesses C. Serve as the principal federal public agency involved with hazardous waste issues D. Reduce the burden of human illness and dysfunction due to environmental causes E. Monitor the state of the environment in Europe
1. B 2. D 3. E 4 A 5. C
Match the agency with the function. 1. NIOSH 2. NIEHS 3. EEA 4. EPA 5. ATSDR A. Develop and enforce regulations that implement environmental laws enacted by Congress B. Conduct research to reduce work-related injuries and illnesses C. Serve as the principal federal public agency involved with hazardous waste issues D. Reduce the burden of human illness and dysfunction due to environmental causes E. Monitor the state of the environment in Europe
1.B, 2.D, 3.E, 4.A, 5.C
The natural population replacement fertility rate in the U.S. is estimated to be
2.1 per woman
The estimated global burden of disease (percent) linked to environmental sources is
25% to 33%
During April, 2009, a Texas community reported 87 cases of H1N1 associated influenza. Ultimately, 9 fatal cases of H1N1 occurred during this same month. There were 4 other fatalities. The CFR associated with H1N1 during April was:
9/87 × 100
Prevalence measures aid in A. Assessing variations in disease occurrence B. The development of hypotheses C. Determining the risk of disease D. Describing the scope of health problems
A B D
The polluter-pays principle states that
A polluter should bear the expense of carrying out pollution prevention and control measures.
The principle of environmental sustainability states that
A strong, just, and wealthy society can be consistent with a clean environment.
Risk characterization refers to the question o
B. What is the relationship between dose and occurrence of health effects in humans (or animals)?
What type of combination of two chemicals produces an effect that is equal to their individual effects taken together?
ADDITIVE
Which of the following is not covered under the Endangered Species Act? A. Mammals B. Crustaceans C. Insects D. Trees
ALL ARE COVERED
Hill's criteria of causality include A. Strength B. Consistency C. Temporality D. Biological gradient E. All of the above
ALL OF THE ABOVE
Specific examples of xenobiotics are A. Antibiotics B. Therapeutic drugs C. Dioxins D. PCBs E. All of the above
ALL OF THE ABOVE
The concentration and toxicity of a chemical in the body are affected by A. Route of entry into the body B. Received dose of the chemical C. Duration of exposure D. Individual sensitivity tE. All of the above
ALL OF THE ABOVE
The contributions of epidemiology to environmental health include A. Subjects are classified according to their exposure. B. They are a type of longitudinal design. C. They may be either prospective or retrospective. D. The measure of association is called relative risk. E. All of the above
ALL OF THE ABOVE
The effects of rapid growth of the world's population include
ALL OF THE ABOVE
The environment plays a role in human health through associations with
ALL OF THE ABOVE
The limitations of environmental epidemiology include the fact that A. Accurate assessment of exposure is difficult. B. Environmentally associated diseases often have low incidence and prevalence. C. Long latency periods often occur between initial exposures and disease outcomes. D. The effects of exposures are often non-specific. E. All of the above.
ALL OF THE ABOVE
Which of the following is not covered under the Endangered Species Act? A. Insects B. Mammals C. Trees D. All are covered E. Crustaceans
All are covered
The existence of a dose-response relationship may be used to establish the following kinds of information A. Causal association between a toxin and biological effects B. Minimum dosages needed to produce a biological effect C. Rate of accumulation of harmful effects D. All of the above E. A & B only
All of The ABOVE
Lemuel Shattuck's proposals set forth in the Report of the Sanitary Conditions of Massachusetts
All of the above
The concept of environmental justice specifies that
All people must receive fair treatment in the enforcement of environmental laws.
The existence of a dose-response relationship may be used to establish the following kinds of information A. Causal association between a toxin and biological effects B. Minimum dosages needed to produce a biological effect C. Rate of accumulation of harmful effects D. All of the above E. A & B only
All the Above
In comparison with the general population, workers may receive exposures to toxic chemicals that are
At higher concentrations for much longer time periods
How can the built environment encourage healthy lifestyles? A. By causing greater use of private automobiles B. By encouraging people to walk more C. By encouraging the use of public transportation D. By co-locating businesses and residences E. B through D
B through D
Which of the following activities characterizes the epidemiologic approach (as opposed to the clinical approach)? A. Description of a single individual's symptoms B. Study of cancer occurrence in populations C. Treatment of a patient with lung cancer D. Diagnosis of a disease in a single individual E. A, C, D
B. Study of cancer occurrence in populations
Which of the following statements is untrue about case-control studies? A. Exposure to a factor is determined retrospectively. B. They are a type of longitudinal design. C. Exposure levels may be difficult to quantify precisely. D. The measure of association is the odds ratio. E. They can examine many potential exposures.
B. They are a type of longitudinal design.
A national survey of asthma conducted on May 1, 2012 obtained the following results for the state of Oklahoma: • X--The number of residents with asthma • Y--The population of the state on June 30, 2012; all members of the population were considered at risk. • Z—The number of new cases of asthma diagnosed during 2012 Reference: Case study 1 The point prevalence of asthma (proportion) on May 1, 2012, would be expressed as
B. X/Y
According to Healthy People 2010, the social environment includes
C and D
Cohort study is to risk ratio as A. Hippocrates is to scrotal cancer. B. Genetics is to environment. C. Case-control study is to odds ratio. D. Sir Percival Pott is to John Snow. E. None of the above
C. Case-control study is to odds ratio.
Those members of the population who are capable of developing a disease or condition are known as A. Incident cases B. Prevalent cases C. The population at risk D. The immune fraction E. None of the above
C. The population at risk
An example of in vitro testing for toxicology is
Experiments with cells derived from human sources
What type of interaction among several agents that have no known toxic effects produces a toxic effect?
COALITIVE
Stage 2 of the demographic transition demonstrates
Drop in mortality rates; high fertility rates
Specific examples of xenobiotics are A. Antibiotics B. Therapeutic drugs C. Dioxins D. PCBs E. All of the above
E. All of the above
The contributions of epidemiology to environmental health include A. Concern with populations B. Use of observational data C. Methodology for study designs D. Descriptive and analytic studies E. All of the above
E. All of the above
Which of the following statements is true about cohort studies? A. Subjects are classified according to their exposure. B. They are a type of longitudinal design. C. They may be either prospective or retrospective. D. The measure of association is called relative risk. E. All of the above
E. All of the above
Environmental health science is concerned with agent, host, and environmental factors in disease (the epidemiologic triangle). What statement below is true about the triangle? Agent factors can include particles, toxic chemicals, and pesticides. B. The environment is the domain in which disease-causing agents may exist. C. The host is the person who affords lodgment of an infectious agent. D. Disease causality includes three major factors: agent, host, and environment. E. All of the above are true
E. All of the above are true
Risk management refers to the question of A. What are the health effects that this agent can cause? B. What is the relationship between dose and occurrence of health effects in humans? C. What exposures are currently experienced or anticipated under different conditions? D. What is the estimated occurrence of the adverse effect in a given population? E. None of the above.
E. None of the above
On Airs, Waters, and Places was significant because it
Emphasized the role of the environment in people's health
Examples of purely observational epidemiologic studies do not usually include
Experimental studies
True or False? A relative risk of less than 1 means that there is no association between exposure and outcome
FALSE
True or False? A relative risk of less than 1 means that there is no association between exposure and outcome.
FALSE
True or False? The fatal 1930 incident in Muese Valley, Belgium, was associated with leakage of toxic chemicals from a former dump site.
FALSE
True or False? The legal profession has virtually no relevance to the environmental health field.
FALSE
True or False? Van Leeuwenhoek identified the yellow fever virus during the early 1900s.
FALSE
Identify the historical figure who was among the first to expound on the role of environmental factors in causing disease
HIPPOCRATES
Which of the following statements is untrue about ecosystems?
Human beings are not considered to be a part of ecosystems.
Direct adverse effects of xenobiotics do not include
INTERFERENCE WITH NUTRITION
Of the following routes of exposure, which one has the most rapid effect?
INTRAVENOUS
The risk of acquiring a given disease during a time period is best determined by
The incidence rate for that disease in a given period of time
What problem may be encountered in the policy establishment stage?
Inability to coordinate and assess research information
Reasons for the potential spread of avian influenza include
Intensive animal husbandry practices
Which of the following abbreviations is used to describe toxic effects of chemicals?
LD50
What problem may be encountered in the policy implementation stage?
Lack of government suppor
What problem(s) may be encountered in the agenda setting stage?
Lack of information on risk; lack of coordination
What problem may be encountered in the assessment/evaluation stage?
Lack of sound scientific data
Risk management refers to the question o A. What are the health effects that this agent can cause? B. What is the relationship between dose and occurrence of health effects in humans? C. What exposures are currently experienced or anticipated under different conditions? D. What is the estimated occurrence of the adverse effect in a given population? E. None of the above.
NONE OF THE ABOVE
Subacute exposures are those that last for
ONE MONTH OR LESS
The Texas Sharpshooter Effect illustrates
One cause of spurious or chance clustering
One of the founders of toxicology was
PARCELSUS
What type of interaction between two chemicals causes one chemical that is not toxic to become more toxic?
POTENTIATIVE
Which of the following outcomes is not usually associated with world population growth?
PROSPERITY
One of the founders of toxicology was A. Claudius B. Paracelsus C. Socrates D. Da Vinci E. Theophrastus
Paracelsus
What problem may be encountered in the problem definition stage?
Poorly defined problems
What type of interaction between two chemicals causes one chemical that is not toxic to become more toxic?
Potentative
The precautionary principle states that
Preventive measures should be taken when an activity raises threats of harm to the environment.
Which of the following activities characterizes the epidemiologic approach (as opposed to the clinical approach)?
Study of cancer occurrence in populations
Why do children in comparison with adults represent a group that is especially vulnerable to environmental hazards? Choose the incorrect answer.
THEY SPEND MORE TIME INDOORS
5 out of 5 points The poisonous substance in Amanita phalloides ("death cap" mushroom) is an example of a
TOXIN
The poisonous substance in Amanita phalloides ("death cap" mushroom) is an example of a
TOXIN
True or False? Affluent Romans may have suffered from chronic lead poisoning from lead pipes used to carry the water supply.
TRUE
True or False? An ecologic study is one that examines a group as the unit of analysis.
TRUE
True or False? Cross-sectional studies may be used to formulate hypotheses that can be followed up in analytic studies
TRUE
True or False? Cross-sectional studies may be used to formulate hypotheses that can be followed up in analytic studies.
TRUE
True or False? In a case-control study, cases are those who have the outcome of interest and the controls are those who do not
TRUE
True or False? Used in cohort studies, the relative risk is a measure of the strength of association between a possible risk factor and a disease
TRUE
True or False? Used in cohort studies, the relative risk is a measure of the strength of association between a possible risk factor and a disease.
TRUE
An internal dose refers to
The portion of a substance that becomes internalized in the body
Which of the following statements is untrue about case-control studies?
They are a type of longitudinal design.
Sir Percival Pott, who wrote Chirurgical Observations Relative to
Was a London surgeon who identified an environmental cause of cancer
John Snow, in Snow on Cholera
Was an English anesthesiologist who used natural experiments
Chose the incorrect statement below. Thalidomide is an example of a drug that
Was associated with heart problems among adults
Indentify the incorrect statement: The 2009 swine flu outbreak
Was caused by the H5N1 virus
Hazard identification refers to the question of
What are the health effects that this agent can cause?
Exposure assessment refers to the question of
What exposures are currently experienced or anticipated under different conditions?
Risk characterization refers to the question of A. What are the health effects that this agent can cause? B. What is the relationship between dose and occurrence of health effects in humans? C. What exposures are currently experienced or anticipated under different conditions? D. What is the estimated occurrence of the adverse effect in a given population? E. None of the above.
What is the estimated occurrence of the adverse effect in a given population?
Dose-response assessment refers to the question of
What is the relationship between dose and occurrence of health effects in humans (or animals)?
A national survey of asthma conducted on May 1, 2012 obtained the following results for the state of Oklahoma: • X--The number of residents with asthma • Y--The population of the state on June 30, 2012; all members of the population were considered at risk. • Z—The number of new cases of asthma diagnosed during 2012 Reference: Case study 1 The point prevalence of asthma (proportion) on May 1, 2012, would be expressed as A. Z/X B. X/Y C. Y/X D. None of the above
X/Y