Pollution (Part-III)

1. Consider the following statement: [U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2010]

Assertion (A): Soil pollution is more dangerous as compared to industrial pollution.

Reason (R): Fertilizer and pesticide enter into food cycle.

Choose the correct answer from codes given:

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false but (R) is true.

Correct Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Solution:Soil pollution is more dangerous as compared to industrial pollution as fertilizers and pesticides used on crops enter into food cycle which affects human health. Hence, both (a) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

2. Polythene bags cannot be destroyed because they are made of- [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2007]

(a) Unbreakable molecules
(b) Inorganic compounds
(c) Polymers
(d) Proteins

Correct Answer: (c) Polymers

Solution:Polythene is made up of molecules of carbon and hydrogen. It is a polymer of ethylene (C₂H₄). It is non-biodegradable. This is the reason why polythene bags cannot be destroyed.

3. Which of the following is not destroyed by bacteria? [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1992]

(a) Cow dung
(b) Leafs
(c) Food ingredient
(d) Plastic

Correct Answer: (d) Plastic

Solution:Plastic, tin, lead are non-biodegradable pollutants which are not destroyed by bacteria. Hence they pollute the atmosphere. Rest of all are easily disintegrated by the micro-organism.

4. Why is there a great concern about the 'microbeads' that are released into environment? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2019]

(a) They are considered harmful to marine ecosystem.
(b) The are considered to cause skin cancer in children.
(c) They are small enough to be absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields.
(d) They are often found to be used as food adulterants.

Correct Answer: (a) They are considered harmful to marine ecosystem.

Solution:Microbeads are considered harmful to marine ecosystem as they are usually made up of polyethylene. They are extensively used in shampoo, face cream and baby lotions. They are usually toxic to marine life. Hence, there is great concern over releasing them into environment as they are harmful to ecosystems. The theme of World Environment Day, 2023 (5, June) was solutions to Plastic Pollution.

5. Which of the following takes maximum time to decay? [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Pre) 2008]

(a) Cigarette bud
(b) Leather shoe
(c) Photo film
(d) Plastic bag

Correct Answer: (d) Plastic bag

Solution:A plastic bag takes maximum time to decay as polyethylene are non-biodegradable.

6. Bhopal Gas Tragedy (leakage of methyl isocyanate 'MIC') accident happened on- [Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007]

(a) December 2, 1982
(b) December 3, 1985
(c) December 3, 1984
(d) December 4, 1986

Correct Answer: (c) December 3, 1984

Solution:Bhopal disaster, also referred to as the Bhopal Gas Tragedy was a gas leak incident in India, considered the world's worst industrial disaster. It occurred on 2-3 December, 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Over 500,000 people were exposed to Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas. According to state government record, 3787 people died in this tragedy. Later, due to disease caused by the gas around 25000 people were killed.

7. In which year Bhopal Gas disaster occurred? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

(a) 1982
(b) 1986
(c) 1984
(d) 1980

Solution:On the night of December 2, 1984, one of the biggest industrial disasters to ever take place began unfolding in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Harmful Methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas started leaking from a nearby Union Carbide pesticide plant, eventually resulting in the Bhopal Gas tragedy, where an estimated 3,000 people died within the first few days. Over time, similarly horrifying numbers of those who suffered life-long health issues would become known.

8. The gas which leaked from Union Carbide Factory, Bhopal was- [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002]

(a) Carbon monoxide
(b) Methane
(c) Methyl isocyanate
(d) Sulpher dioxide

Correct Answer: (c) Methyl isocyanate

Solution:On the night of December 2, 1984, one of the biggest industrial disasters to ever take place began unfolding in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Harmful Methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas started leaking from a nearby Union Carbide pesticide plant, eventually resulting in the Bhopal Gas tragedy, where an estimated 3,000 people died within the first few days. Over time, similarly horrifying numbers of those who suffered life-long health issues would become known.

9. Bhopal Gas Tragedy was caused due to the leakage of : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2022]

(a) Methyl Isocynate
(b) Nitrogen
(c) Sulphur dioxide
(d) Carbon monoxide

Correct Answer: (a) Methyl Isocynate

Solution:On the night of 2-3 December 1984, chemical, Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) spilt out from Union Carbide India Ltd's (UCIL's) pesticide factory turned the city of Bhopal into a colossal gas chamber. It was India's first major industrial disaster.

10. Which gas leaked out, in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy causing numerous deaths: [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1991, U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2001]

(a) Chlorine
(b) M.I.C.
(c) Ammonia
(d) Phosgene

Correct Answer: (b) M.I.C.