Pollution

61. Which of the commonly used household item(s) release Bisphenol A (BPA)

Which of the commonly used household item(s) release Bisphenol A (BPA) which is an endocrine disruptor and bad for human health?

  • 1. Steel utensils
  • 2. Plastic coffee mugs
  • 3. Aluminium utensils
  • 4. Plastic water storage bottles

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1 and 2 only” option3=”2 and 4 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3 only” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2016
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The correct answer is C) 2 and 4 only.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastic is commonly used in making hard plastic items like reusable water bottles and some coffee mugs. Epoxy resins are often used as internal coatings for food and beverage cans and metal lids.
– **Steel utensils (1):** Typically made of stainless steel and do not contain BPA.
– **Plastic coffee mugs (2):** Many rigid plastic mugs, especially older or cheaper ones, are made from polycarbonate plastic which can leach BPA, particularly when hot liquids are used.
– **Aluminium utensils (3):** Generally made of aluminium metal. While some aluminium cans or containers might have epoxy resin linings containing BPA, standard aluminium cooking or eating utensils do not typically contain BPA.
– **Plastic water storage bottles (4):** Reusable hard plastic water bottles (often labeled with recycling code 7, though not exclusively) are frequently made from polycarbonate and are known sources of BPA leaching. Many manufacturers now produce “BPA-free” versions.
Therefore, plastic coffee mugs and plastic water storage bottles are the most likely common household items from this list to release BPA.

62. Which of the following substances are harmful for health if present in

Which of the following substances are harmful for health if present in food items?

  • 1. Pesticide residues
  • 2. Lead
  • 3. Metanil yellow
  • 4. Mercury

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”1, 2 and 4 only” option3=”3 and 4 only” option4=”1, 2, 3 and 4″ correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2016
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The correct answer is D) 1, 2, 3 and 4.
All the substances listed – Pesticide residues, Lead, Metanil yellow, and Mercury – are considered harmful to human health if present in food items.
– **Pesticide residues:** Chemicals used to control pests can remain on or in food crops and pose health risks when consumed.
– **Lead:** A heavy metal that is highly toxic and can accumulate in the body, causing severe health problems, especially in children. It can enter food through contaminated water, soil, or processing equipment.
– **Metanil yellow:** A non-permitted food colour often used illegally to colour food items like sweets and spices. It is a harmful chemical that can cause neurological damage and other health issues.
– **Mercury:** Another toxic heavy metal. Organic mercury compounds like methylmercury can build up in fish and seafood, posing risks to humans who consume them. Inorganic mercury can also contaminate food sources.
All these substances are regulated by food safety authorities, with maximum permissible limits set for their presence in food.

63. One of the main causes of air pollution in cities is emissions from ve

One of the main causes of air pollution in cities is emissions from vehicles like cars and trucks. Cars emit various pollutants which are bad for human health when inhaled, like

  • 1. Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
  • 2. Carbon monoxide (CO)
  • 3. Carbon dioxide (CO2)
  • 4. Benzene

Which of the above pollutants are not tolerated by human beings even at very low levels ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 4 only” option2=”1 and 2 only” option3=”1, 2 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 4 only” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2016
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The question asks which pollutants are *not* tolerated by human beings *even at very low levels*. This typically refers to substances with high toxicity or carcinogenicity at trace concentrations.
1. Nitrogen oxides (NOx): Respiratory irritants, contribute to smog. Can cause respiratory problems at relatively low concentrations.
2. Carbon monoxide (CO): Highly toxic gas. Binds to haemoglobin more strongly than oxygen, impairing oxygen transport. Even low levels in inhaled air can be dangerous, especially over time.
3. Carbon dioxide (CO₂): A greenhouse gas and a natural component of air (around 400 ppm). It is not toxic at these ambient levels. High concentrations (e.g., > 5000 ppm or more) can cause adverse health effects or suffocation, but it is tolerated at “very low levels” (ambient levels).
4. Benzene: A volatile organic compound and a known human carcinogen. Exposure to benzene, even at very low concentrations over time, is linked to increased risk of cancer (e.g., leukemia).
Considering the criteria “not tolerated even at very low levels”, CO and Benzene are clear candidates due to their high toxicity/carcinogenicity at low exposures. NOx are also significant respiratory hazards at lower concentrations than CO₂. CO₂ is relatively non-toxic at typical atmospheric concentrations. Thus, NOx, CO, and Benzene fit the description better than CO₂.
Certain pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO), benzene, and nitrogen oxides (NOx) pose health risks even at low exposure levels due to their toxicity, carcinogenicity, or irritant properties, whereas carbon dioxide (CO₂) is harmful primarily at high concentrations.
The term “tolerated at very low levels” is relative, but in the context of common air pollutants from vehicles, CO, NOx, and Benzene are regulated and considered hazardous at much lower concentrations than CO₂. CO₂ is regulated more as a climate change gas than a direct air toxic at ambient urban levels.

64. Which of the following statements about Photochemical Smog is/are corr

Which of the following statements about Photochemical Smog is/are correct ?

  • 1. It irritates the eyes.
  • 2. It leads to cracking of rubber.
  • 3. It causes considerable damage to plant life.

Select the answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3″ option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 2 only” option4=”3 only” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2024
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Photochemical smog is a type of air pollution that forms when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides and at least one volatile organic compound (VOC) in the atmosphere. It is a complex mixture containing various pollutants, including ozone (O₃), peroxyacetyl nitrates (PANs), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and aldehydes.
Statement 1: Ozone and PANs are known irritants that affect the eyes and respiratory system.
Statement 2: Ozone is a strong oxidant that can cause the cracking and degradation of rubber and plastics.
Statement 3: Ozone and PANs are toxic to plants, damaging leaves, reducing growth, and affecting crop yields.
Photochemical smog is distinct from classical smog (sulfurous smog), which is primarily caused by sulfur dioxide and particulate matter from burning coal. It is typically associated with urban areas with high vehicular traffic and warm, sunny conditions.

65. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), one of t

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), one of the recent large-scale accidental releases of methane gas into the ocean occurred in

[amp_mcq option1=”Exxon Valdez” option2=”Nord Stream” option3=”Deepwater Horizon” option4=”Atlantic Empress” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2023
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According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), one of the recent large-scale accidental releases of methane gas into the ocean occurred in Nord Stream.
– In September 2022, leaks were discovered in the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea.
– These pipelines carried natural gas (primarily methane) from Russia to Europe. The leaks resulted in a massive release of methane into the atmosphere and the surrounding ocean.
– UNEP and other organizations reported on the scale and environmental implications of this event, describing it as potentially the largest single release of methane from a single source ever recorded.
Exxon Valdez and Atlantic Empress were major oil spills. Deepwater Horizon was also primarily an oil spill, although there was also associated natural gas release. The Nord Stream incident is distinguished by being a massive release *specifically of methane* from undersea gas infrastructure.

66. According to the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the responsibilit

According to the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the responsibility of waste generators has been fixed for segregation of waste in which of the following streams?

[amp_mcq option1=”Biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes” option2=”Metallic and non-metallic wastes” option3=”Wet, dry and domestic hazardous wastes” option4=”Recyclable and non-recyclable wastes” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2023
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According to the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the responsibility of waste generators is fixed for segregation of waste into Wet, Dry, and Domestic Hazardous wastes.
– The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, mandate segregation of waste at source by the waste generator.
– The specified streams for segregation at the household level are typically biodegradable (wet) waste, non-biodegradable (dry) waste, and domestic hazardous waste (like batteries, expired medicines, etc.).
These rules aim to improve waste management practices across the country, emphasizing source segregation, collection, transportation, processing, and disposal. Proper segregation at source facilitates better recycling and processing of different types of waste.

67. Which of the following major parameters are considered while deriving

Which of the following major parameters are considered while deriving the Air Quality Index (AQI) of an area in India?

[amp_mcq option1=”Nitrogen oxide and particulate matter only” option2=”Carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide only” option3=”Particulate matter and sulphur dioxide only” option4=”Carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and sulphur dioxide” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
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Nitrogen oxide (specifically Nitrogen Dioxide – NO2) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) are major parameters considered while deriving the Air Quality Index (AQI) of an area in India.
India’s National Air Quality Index (AQI) is based on eight pollutants: Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3), Ammonia (NH3), and Lead (Pb). Both Nitrogen Dioxide and Particulate Matter are included in this list and are often major contributors to poor air quality.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major greenhouse gas but is not considered a pollutant in the standard Air Quality Index used in India and many other countries, as its direct impact on human health at ambient concentrations is different from the pollutants listed for AQI. While options A and C list correct parameters, Option A combines Nitrogen oxide and particulate matter, which are key components of common urban pollution mixes (e.g., vehicular emissions contribute significantly to both PM and NO2). Option D includes CO2, rendering it incorrect.

68. As per the safe drinking water guidelines issued by the Bureau of Indi

As per the safe drinking water guidelines issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards, Government of India, what is the acceptable pH value of drinking water?

[amp_mcq option1=”Between 7.5 and 9.5″ option2=”Between 6.5 and 8.5″ option3=”Between 5.5 and 7.5″ option4=”Between 4.5 and 6.5″ correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
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According to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) IS 10500:2012, the acceptable limit for pH of drinking water is 6.5 to 8.5.
pH is a measure of how acidic or basic water is. A pH of 7 is neutral. Values below 7 indicate acidity, and values above 7 indicate alkalinity. Maintaining pH within the acceptable range is important for water potability and preventing corrosion in pipes.
The BIS standard also specifies a permissible limit in the absence of an alternate source, which can extend slightly beyond the acceptable limit, but the primary acceptable range for drinking water quality is 6.5 to 8.5.

69. Thermal pollution is:

Thermal pollution is:

[amp_mcq option1=”discharge of waste heat into the atmosphere or ocean from increasing use of energy.” option2=”atmospheric warming due to emission of green house gasses.” option3=”heat waves during extreme summer.” option4=”heat trapped in the atmosphere due to dust storm.” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2021
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Thermal pollution is the degradation of water quality or air quality by any process that changes the ambient temperature. A common cause is the discharge of heated water from industrial processes or power generation into natural water bodies or the release of waste heat into the atmosphere.
It specifically refers to the release of waste heat from human activities into the environment.
While thermal pollution primarily concerns water bodies where temperature changes have significant ecological impacts (reducing dissolved oxygen, affecting aquatic life), the discharge of waste heat into the atmosphere from increasing energy use is also considered a form of thermal pollution, contributing to localized warming.

70. The biological oxygen demand (BOD) of unpolluted river water is:

The biological oxygen demand (BOD) of unpolluted river water is:

[amp_mcq option1=”10 – 20 mg O₂/dm³/5 day.” option2=”5-10 mg O₂/dm³/5 day.” option3=”less than 5 mg O₂/dm³/5 day.” option4=”more than 20 mg O₂/dm³/5 day.” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2020
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The biological oxygen demand (BOD) is a measure of the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic biological organisms to break down organic material present in a water sample. Unpolluted river water contains very little organic matter and thus requires very little oxygen for decomposition, resulting in a low BOD value, typically less than 5 mg O₂/dm³/5 day.
– BOD is a key indicator of water quality, reflecting the amount of biodegradable organic pollution.
– It is measured over a specific period, usually 5 days (BOD₅) at a standard temperature (20°C).
– Lower BOD values indicate better water quality with less organic pollution.
– Very clean water typically has a BOD of 1-2 mg/L.
– Moderately polluted water might have BOD values between 2 and 8 mg/L.
– Heavily polluted water can have BOD values exceeding 20 mg/L.
– The term dm³ is equivalent to a liter (1 dm³ = 1 L).
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