Pollution

Total Questions: 50

31. The most polluted city of India is- [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]

(a) Ankleshwar
(b) Lucknow
(c) Ludhiana
(d) Raipur

Correct Answer: (a) Ankleshwar

Solution:In 2009, Ankleshwar was the most polluted city in India. However, according to 2016 data Wapi (Gujarat) has become India's most polluted city. Its Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index score was 85.31 followed by Ghaziabad with a score of 84.13. According to 'World Air Quality Report, 2022' Bhiwadi is the most polluted city in India.

32. According to the report released by Greenpeace India in January, 2020, amongst 287 Indian cities, which of the following is the most polluted city? [U.P.B.E.O. (Pre) 2019]

(a) Raniganj
(b) Jharia
(c) Bajrang Nagar
(d) Sohagpur

Correct Answer: (b) Jharia

Solution:Greenpeace India has released Airpocalypse Report in January, 2020 and identified 231 out of 287 Indian cities severely polluted. According to the report, coal-belching Jharia in Jharkhand is the most polluted city in India.

Greenpeace is a network of Greenpeace organizations (National and Regional Organizations - NROS). Greenpeace International is a foundation based out of Amsterdam. It helps facilitate global campaigns and is called an environment protection organization that operates in 55 countries. It was founded in 1971. It is a well-known organization due to its visible actions world-wide.Greenpeace uses non-violent and creative campaigns to highlight global environmental problems in order to find solutions for a sustainable future for the planet and the human race at large. Its ultimate aim is to ensure that the Earth is capable of sustain and nurture life not just for the present generation but for future generation as well

33. Which one of the following is known for cleaning a polluted environment? [U.P.U.D.A/L.D.A. (Pre) 2013]

(a) Oxygen
(b) Rain
(c) Nitrogen
(d) Air

Correct Answer: (b) Rain

Solution:Rain can wash out particles from the air. Washing works much better on larger particles (above 10 microns or above 2.5 microns) than small particles. Rains also help by making dust particles stick to the ground.

While oxygen is essential for life, it doesn't actively clean polluted environments. Some organisms like trees use oxygen for photosynthesis, but this doesn't directly remove pollutants from the air.
Nitrogen is a vital component of the atmosphere, but it doesn't play a significant role in cleaning polluted environments.
Air itself doesn't clean pollutants. It serves as the medium through which pollutants travel. Rain is the natural agent that cleanses the air.

34. In which city/State was air pollution control system 'VAYU' installed n September 2018? [B.P.S.C. (Pre), 2018]

(a) Chennai
(b) Amritsar
(c) Delhi
(d) Varanasi
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Correct Answer: (c) Delhi

Solution:In September, 2018 Air Pollution Control device, WAYU (Wind Augmentation Purifying Unit) for traffic Junctions at ITO intersection and Mukarba Chowk in Delhi. Significantly BPSC has mentioned WAYU as "VAYU" whichis wrong. WAYU, designed by NEERI and IIT (Bombay), works by converting pollutants such as dangerous PM2.5 and PM10 particles, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds into carbon dioxide using a filter. Its creators claim it can reduce pollution at busy traffic junctions by 40-60 percent.

35. Asian Brown Cloud, 2002 was mainly spared over- [Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2003]

(a) East Asia
(b) South-East Asia
(c) South Asia
(d) West Asia

Correct Answer: (c) South Asia

Solution:Asian Brown Cloud was mainly spread over South Asia due to pollution. Brown clouds are formed due to air pollution and spread over particularly South Asian region during January- March. Brown clouds consist of approximately 85% aerosol. It also contains sulphate, black carbon and other deadly chemicals which cause respiratory problems and cancer. Significantly, change in solar radiation in India and China, uneven atmospheric temperature and change in monsoonal rainfall pattern are caused by brown clouds.

36. Assertion : During winter, air pollution in Delhi reaches to the maximum level. [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004]

Reason : Combustion process in motor vehicles increases during winter.

(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: (c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.

Solution:Cold air being relatively heavy than the warm air does not rise high in the atmosphere. Hence, dust particles, pollutants and environmental dirt form a layer above the surface in the atmosphere. This is the reason for increased pollution level during winter in Delhi. Therefore, assertion (A) is correct. However, Reason (R) is incorrect as combustion process in motor vehicles decreases during winter.

37. The most important indoor air pollutant is- [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]

(a) Sulpher Dioxide
(b) Carbon Dioxide
(c) Nitrogen Dioxide
(d) Radon gas
(e) None of these

Correct Answer: (d) Radon gas

Solution:Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium, thorium, or radium, which are radioactive metals, break down in rocks, soil, and groundwater. It is an inert, colourless, and odourless gas. daRon gas usually exists at very low levels outdoors, but the gas can accumulate in areas without adequate ventilation, such as underground mines. Radon can get into homes and buildings through small cracks or holes and build up in the air.
Radon levels may be higher in homes that are well insulated, tightly sealed, and/or built on soil rich in the elements uranium, thorium, and radium. As we breathe, these particles are deposited on the cells lining the airways, where they can damage DNA and potentially cause lung cancer. It is the second-most important cause of lung cancer after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

38. Cigarette smoke contains________. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) (Re. Exam) 2015]

(a) Carbon monoxide dioxycine
(b) Carbon monoxide and nicotine
(c) Carbon monoxide and Benzene
(d) Dioxycine and Benzene

Correct Answer: (c) Carbon monoxide and Benzene

Solution:Smoking can irritate the lungs, leading to chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer. Smoking increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems. Exposure to secondhand smoke also poses health risks, including lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses in both adults and children.

39. 'Ringelmann scale' is used to measure density of: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

(a) Smoke
(b) Polluted water
(c) Fog
(d) Noise

Correct Answer: (a) Smoke

Solution:Ringelmann scale means the grading of opacity, appearance, density or shade of a smoke emission, in determining the light-obscuring power of smoke.

The scale has 5 levels of density inferred from a grid of black lines on a white surface which, if viewed from a distance, merge into known shades of grey. Shade 1 is slightly grey and is usually categorized by air pollution boards as acceptable. It corresponds to an opacity of 20%. Shades 2, 3, 4 and 5 correspond to opacities of 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% (completely black) and are usually considered to be "black smoke" by air pollution boards of most countries.

40. Concerning 'fly ash' produced by the power plants using coal as fuel, which of the following statements is/are correct? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2015]

1. Fly ash can be used in the production of bricks for building construction.

2. Fly ash can be used as a replacement for some of the Portland cement concrete.

3. Fly ash is made up of silicon dioxide and calcium oxide only and does not contain any toxic elements.

Select the correct answer using codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2

Solution:Fly ash is one of the coal combustion products composed of the fine particles that are driven out of the boiler with the flue gases. Fly ash is used for the manufacturing of construction bricks. The most common use of fly ash is as a replacement for Portland cement used in producing concrete. SiO₂, Al₂O3 and occasionally CaO are the main chemical components present in fly ashes. In addition to this, it also contains some toxic elements like lead, arsenic and copper particles. Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

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