Question 1

Which of the following presents the lowest lifetime risk of death to people in the US?

Accepted Answer

A)  poisonous snakes 
B)  dog bites 
C)  plane crashes 
D)  lightning 
E)  drowning 
A)  poisonous snakes 
B)  dog bites 
C)  plane crashes 
D)  lightning 
E)  drowning A

Question 2

Toxic substances are dangerous because they

Accepted Answer

A)  react or interfere with specific cell functions. 
B)  can physically remove or tear tissues. 
C)  are usually synthetic. 
D)  cause debilitating, parasitic diseases. 
E)  cause excessive water accumulation in tissues. 
A)  react or interfere with specific cell functions. 
B)  can physically remove or tear tissues. 
C)  are usually synthetic. 
D)  cause debilitating, parasitic diseases. 
E)  cause excessive water accumulation in tissues. A

Question 3

Parasitic worms are very common in areas where

Accepted Answer

A)  the climate is dry. 
B)  the climate is hot. 
C)  sanitation is poor. 
D)  urban development has been too rapid. 
E)  the climate is humid. 
A)  the climate is dry. 
B)  the climate is hot. 
C)  sanitation is poor. 
D)  urban development has been too rapid. 
E)  the climate is humid. C

Question 4

Organisms are physiologically able to minimize some of the effects of toxins if

Accepted Answer

A)  a minimal amount is taken into the body. 
B)  there is no exposure. 
C)  chemists develop vaccines and antibodies 
D)  DNA technology is used to change the individual's susceptibility. 
A)  a minimal amount is taken into the body. 
B)  there is no exposure. 
C)  chemists develop vaccines and antibodies 
D)  DNA technology is used to change the individual's susceptibility.

Question 5

The biomagnification of DDT demonstrates that

Accepted Answer

A)  higher trophic level organisms can concentrate toxins in a type of "inverse biological pyramid." 
B)  birds should not depend on fish for food. 
C)  DDT is easily metabolized and excreted by most organisms. 
D)  DDT is an extremely water-soluble material. 
E)  water-soluble toxins are widespread. 
A)  higher trophic level organisms can concentrate toxins in a type of "inverse biological pyramid." 
B)  birds should not depend on fish for food. 
C)  DDT is easily metabolized and excreted by most organisms. 
D)  DDT is an extremely water-soluble material. 
E)  water-soluble toxins are widespread.

Question 6

When comparing the toxicity of natural and synthetic chemicals, natural chemicals are ________ synthetic chemicals.

Accepted Answer

A)  nearly always less toxic than 
B)  nearly always more toxic than 
C)  on average, just as toxic 
D)  much safer 
E)  more difficult to detect 
A)  nearly always less toxic than 
B)  nearly always more toxic than 
C)  on average, just as toxic 
D)  much safer 
E)  more difficult to detect

Question 7

The World Health Organization regards health as primarily a matter of ________ well being.

Accepted Answer

A)  physical 
B)  mental and physical 
C)  social and mental 
D)  physical, mental, and social 
E)  physical and social 
A)  physical 
B)  mental and physical 
C)  social and mental 
D)  physical, mental, and social 
E)  physical and social

Question 8

SARS is thought to have been spread to 160 people in seven countries by a single flight attendant.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

As a society, we usually focus money and attention on health risks that are

Accepted Answer

A)  most serious. 
B)  easiest to clean up. 
C)  most well publicized and frightening. 
D)  statistically more likely to occur. 
E)  All of these receive equal money and attention. 
A)  most serious. 
B)  easiest to clean up. 
C)  most well publicized and frightening. 
D)  statistically more likely to occur. 
E)  All of these receive equal money and attention.

Question 10

Historically, the greatest threats to human health came from

Accepted Answer

A)  carcinogenic or toxic chemicals. 
B)  psychological stress factors due to crowding. 
C)  pathogenic organisms. 
D)  teratogenic chemicals. 
E)  injuries (intentional and unintentional). 
A)  carcinogenic or toxic chemicals. 
B)  psychological stress factors due to crowding. 
C)  pathogenic organisms. 
D)  teratogenic chemicals. 
E)  injuries (intentional and unintentional).

Question 11

Among the most important characteristics of chemicals in determining their environmental risks is/are

Accepted Answer

A)  solubility. 
B)  reactivity. 
C)  persistence. 
D)  toxicity 
E)  All of these are correct. 
A)  solubility. 
B)  reactivity. 
C)  persistence. 
D)  toxicity 
E)  All of these are correct.

Question 12

Which of the following presents the greatest lifetime risk of death to people in the US?

Accepted Answer

A)  poisonous snakes 
B)  dog bites 
C)  plane crashes 
D)  lightning 
E)  drowning 
A)  poisonous snakes 
B)  dog bites 
C)  plane crashes 
D)  lightning 
E)  drowning

Question 13

Which of the following factors would explain the seemingly irrational behavior of a father who smokes (high risk factor for baby) throwing away his baby's teething rings that may contain phthalates (seemingly low risk factor for baby).

Accepted Answer

A)  People tend to downplay risks that are associated with activities they are committed to or enjoy. 
B)  Most people do not understand the concepts of probability. 
C)  News media can give a biased view of hazards. 
D)  People tend to have an irrational fear of certain technologies that are not as well understood. 
E)  All of these factors can lead to the relatively irrational behavior demonstrated by the father. 
A)  People tend to downplay risks that are associated with activities they are committed to or enjoy. 
B)  Most people do not understand the concepts of probability. 
C)  News media can give a biased view of hazards. 
D)  People tend to have an irrational fear of certain technologies that are not as well understood. 
E)  All of these factors can lead to the relatively irrational behavior demonstrated by the father.

Question 14

Pathogenic organisms are those that are susceptible to diseases.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Policy makers should utilize a(n) ____________ approach to setting environmental risk standards.

Accepted Answer

A)  zero tolerance 
B)  precautionary 
C)  case-by-case 
D)  restrictive 
A)  zero tolerance 
B)  precautionary 
C)  case-by-case 
D)  restrictive

Question 16

With respect to exposure to toxins which statement is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  Acute effects are much worse than chronic effects. 
B)  Acute effects are not as bad as chronic effects. 
C)  Acute effects are the immediate results of a single exposure, chronic effects are those that are long-lasting. 
D)  Acute effects are permanent, chronic effects may be short or long term but go away over time. 
E)  none of these are correct. 
A)  Acute effects are much worse than chronic effects. 
B)  Acute effects are not as bad as chronic effects. 
C)  Acute effects are the immediate results of a single exposure, chronic effects are those that are long-lasting. 
D)  Acute effects are permanent, chronic effects may be short or long term but go away over time. 
E)  none of these are correct.

Question 17

An LD50 is a dose of a toxic chemical that

Accepted Answer

A)  is an acceptable level of risk for most individuals. 
B)  all individuals react to. 
C)  kills individuals 50 years old and over. 
D)  is 50 times less than the minimal dose. 
E)  kills half of the population. 
A)  is an acceptable level of risk for most individuals. 
B)  all individuals react to. 
C)  kills individuals 50 years old and over. 
D)  is 50 times less than the minimal dose. 
E)  kills half of the population.

Question 18

Most people do their own personal risk assessments based upon

Accepted Answer

A)  scientific data. 
B)  whimsical preference devoid of logic. 
C)  logical reasoning about relative risks. 
D)  personal biases and preferences as well as logic. 
E)  statistical probabilities. 
A)  scientific data. 
B)  whimsical preference devoid of logic. 
C)  logical reasoning about relative risks. 
D)  personal biases and preferences as well as logic. 
E)  statistical probabilities.

Question 19

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  If a substance is toxic, its toxicity is highly dependent on its form and where it is present in the environment. 
B)  If a substance is toxic, it is equally toxic regardless of its form or where it is present in the environment. 
C)  The most important factor in the toxicity of a substance is the route by which it enters our bodies. 
D)  The most important factor in the toxicity of a substance is its persistence in the environment. 
E)  None of these statements are true. 
A)  If a substance is toxic, its toxicity is highly dependent on its form and where it is present in the environment. 
B)  If a substance is toxic, it is equally toxic regardless of its form or where it is present in the environment. 
C)  The most important factor in the toxicity of a substance is the route by which it enters our bodies. 
D)  The most important factor in the toxicity of a substance is its persistence in the environment. 
E)  None of these statements are true.

Question 20

Hazardous substances ______________ while toxins are ______________.

Accepted Answer

A)  react with specific cell components to kill cells; poisonous substances 
B)  are dangerous substances; poisonous substances 
C)  are usually of concern at all concentrations; are dangerous substances 
D)  are poisonous substances; also poisonous substances 
E)  All of these are true. 
A)  react with specific cell components to kill cells; poisonous substances 
B)  are dangerous substances; poisonous substances 
C)  are usually of concern at all concentrations; are dangerous substances 
D)  are poisonous substances; also poisonous substances 
E)  All of these are true.

Which of the following presents the lowest lifetime risk of death to people in the US?

Toxic substances are dangerous because they

Parasitic worms are very common in areas where

Organisms are physiologically able to minimize some of the effects of toxins if

The biomagnification of DDT demonstrates that

When comparing the toxicity of natural and synthetic chemicals, natural chemicals are ________ synthetic chemicals.

The World Health Organization regards health as primarily a matter of ________ well being.

SARS is thought to have been spread to 160 people in seven countries by a single flight attendant.

As a society, we usually focus money and attention on health risks that are

Historically, the greatest threats to human health came from

Among the most important characteristics of chemicals in determining their environmental risks is/are

Which of the following presents the greatest lifetime risk of death to people in the US?

Which of the following factors would explain the seemingly irrational behavior of a father who smokes (high risk factor for baby) throwing away his baby's teething rings that may contain phthalates (seemingly low risk factor for baby).

Pathogenic organisms are those that are susceptible to diseases.

Policy makers should utilize a(n) ____________ approach to setting environmental risk standards.

With respect to exposure to toxins which statement is correct?

An LD50 is a dose of a toxic chemical that

Most people do their own personal risk assessments based upon

Which of the following statements is true?

Hazardous substances while toxins are .

Understanding Our Environment

Environmental Systems: Connections, Cycles, Flows and Feedback Loops

Evolution, Species Interactions, and Biological Communities

Human Populations

Biomes and Biodiversity

Environmental Conservation: Forests Grasslands Parks and Nature Preserves

Food and Agriculture

Air: Climate and Pollution

Water: Resources and Pollution

Environmental Geology and Earth Resources

Energy

Solid and Hazardous Waste

Economics and Urbanization

Environmental Policy and Sustainability

Filters

Exam 8: Environmental Health and Toxicology

Which of the following presents the lowest lifetime risk of death to people in the US?

Toxic substances are dangerous because they

Parasitic worms are very common in areas where

Organisms are physiologically able to minimize some of the effects of toxins if

The biomagnification of DDT demonstrates that

When comparing the toxicity of natural and synthetic chemicals, natural chemicals are ________ synthetic chemicals.

The World Health Organization regards health as primarily a matter of ________ well being.

SARS is thought to have been spread to 160 people in seven countries by a single flight attendant.

As a society, we usually focus money and attention on health risks that are

Historically, the greatest threats to human health came from

Among the most important characteristics of chemicals in determining their environmental risks is/are

Which of the following presents the greatest lifetime risk of death to people in the US?

Which of the following factors would explain the seemingly irrational behavior of a father who smokes (high risk factor for baby) throwing away his baby's teething rings that may contain phthalates (seemingly low risk factor for baby).

Pathogenic organisms are those that are susceptible to diseases.

Policy makers should utilize a(n) ____________ approach to setting environmental risk standards.

With respect to exposure to toxins which statement is correct?

An LD50 is a dose of a toxic chemical that

Most people do their own personal risk assessments based upon

Which of the following statements is true?

Hazardous substances ______________ while toxins are ______________.

Understanding Our Environment

Environmental Systems: Connections, Cycles, Flows and Feedback Loops

Evolution, Species Interactions, and Biological Communities

Human Populations

Biomes and Biodiversity

Environmental Conservation: Forests Grasslands Parks and Nature Preserves

Food and Agriculture

Air: Climate and Pollution

Water: Resources and Pollution

Environmental Geology and Earth Resources

Energy

Solid and Hazardous Waste

Economics and Urbanization

Environmental Policy and Sustainability

Filters

Hazardous substances while toxins are .