Question 1

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 obove 
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 obove 
D)  Is 50 times less than the minimal dose 
E)  Kills half of the population

Question 2

Between 1990 and 2010, what showed the biggest rank increase for the "Leading Causes of Global Disease Burden?"

Accepted Answer

A)  HIV/AIDS 
B)  Malaria 
C)  Stroke 
D)  Diabetes 
A)  HIV/AIDS 
B)  Malaria 
C)  Stroke 
D)  Diabetes

Question 3

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; dangerous substances 
D)  Are poisonous substances; also poisonous substances 
E)  None of the above is correct 
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; dangerous substances 
D)  Are poisonous substances; also poisonous substances 
E)  None of the above is correct

Question 4

_______________, rather than ______________, are becoming the leading causes of disability and premature death worldwide.

Accepted Answer

A)  Chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease; infectious diseases such as malaria 
B)  Infectious diseases such as malaria; chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease 
C)  Traffic deaths; infectious diseases such as malaria 
D)  Chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease; traffic deaths 
E)  Infectious diseases such as malaria; traffic deaths 
A)  Chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease; infectious diseases such as malaria 
B)  Infectious diseases such as malaria; chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease 
C)  Traffic deaths; infectious diseases such as malaria 
D)  Chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease; traffic deaths 
E)  Infectious diseases such as malaria; traffic deaths

Question 5

Substances that interrupt normal hormone action can impact human health in many ways beyond sexual function.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

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 7

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 8

Individuals represented by the left end of the dose/response curve (responding to doses between 0 and 10 ppm) are ______________ for that population.

Accepted Answer

A)  Very sensitive 
B)  Very insensitive 
C)  About average in sensitivity 
D)  Relatively insensitive 
E)  Relatively sensitive 
A)  Very sensitive 
B)  Very insensitive 
C)  About average in sensitivity 
D)  Relatively insensitive 
E)  Relatively sensitive

Question 9

If 100 cups of strong coffee contain a lethal dose of caffeine, why don't coffee drinkers eventually die from caffeine overdose?

Accepted Answer

A)  Coffee drinkers who drink more than 100 cups of coffee a week will eventually die from the bioaccumulation. 
B)  Because of its molecular form, all of the caffeine is not actually absorbed into the body. 
C)  Once the coffee cools, the caffeine is not as strong as it was when the coffee was fresh. 
D)  Coffee drinkers who drink more than 100 cups of coffee a month will eventually die from the bioaccumulation. 
E)  Our bodies metabolize the caffeine before lethal concentrations are reached. 
A)  Coffee drinkers who drink more than 100 cups of coffee a week will eventually die from the bioaccumulation. 
B)  Because of its molecular form, all of the caffeine is not actually absorbed into the body. 
C)  Once the coffee cools, the caffeine is not as strong as it was when the coffee was fresh. 
D)  Coffee drinkers who drink more than 100 cups of coffee a month will eventually die from the bioaccumulation. 
E)  Our bodies metabolize the caffeine before lethal concentrations are reached.

Question 10

In humans and other mammals, ingested poisons are primarily detoxified by the

Accepted Answer

A)  kidneys. 
B)  liver. 
C)  pancreas. 
D)  stomach. 
A)  kidneys. 
B)  liver. 
C)  pancreas. 
D)  stomach.

Question 11

Tumors can grow because of exposure to

Accepted Answer

A)  Neurotoxins 
B)  Mutagens 
C)  Antigens 
D)  Parasitic organisms 
E)  Allergens 
A)  Neurotoxins 
B)  Mutagens 
C)  Antigens 
D)  Parasitic organisms 
E)  Allergens

Question 12

Historically, which of the following considerations in setting standards for toxic exposure has been emphasized the least?

Accepted Answer

A)  Including information about how toxins affect natural ecological systems 
B)  Different members of the population have different sensitivities to toxins 
C)  Including information about both chronic and acute exposures to a toxin 
D)  Individuals in the human population have been exposed to many different kinds of toxins that may have additive or synergistic effects 
E)  All of these considerations have been used and are important in setting policy 
A)  Including information about how toxins affect natural ecological systems 
B)  Different members of the population have different sensitivities to toxins 
C)  Including information about both chronic and acute exposures to a toxin 
D)  Individuals in the human population have been exposed to many different kinds of toxins that may have additive or synergistic effects 
E)  All of these considerations have been used and are important in setting policy

Question 13

Which of the following factors would explain the seemingly irrational behavior of a father who smokes (high-risk factor for baby) but throws 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

Detection of toxic chemicals depends upon

Accepted Answer

A)  How many chemicals are present 
B)  How many individuals respond to them at a certain dosage 
C)  The sensitivity of measuring techniques and how many chemicals are present 
D)  Whether or not individuals or groups of individuals are sensitive to them 
E)  Whether or not groups of individuals are sensitive to them 
A)  How many chemicals are present 
B)  How many individuals respond to them at a certain dosage 
C)  The sensitivity of measuring techniques and how many chemicals are present 
D)  Whether or not individuals or groups of individuals are sensitive to them 
E)  Whether or not groups of individuals are sensitive to them

Question 15

Two problems encountered in human health risk assessment are _______________________ and ___________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  Use of chemical mixtures; lack of knowledge about synergistic effects 
B)  Lack of funding for federal mandates; lack of public support 
C)  Extrapolation of data to low doses; extrapolation of data from nonhuman species to humans 
D)  Lack of planning; the involvement of politics 
E)  There are no inherent problems in human health risk assessment 
A)  Use of chemical mixtures; lack of knowledge about synergistic effects 
B)  Lack of funding for federal mandates; lack of public support 
C)  Extrapolation of data to low doses; extrapolation of data from nonhuman species to humans 
D)  Lack of planning; the involvement of politics 
E)  There are no inherent problems in human health risk assessment

Question 16

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 
A)  Solubility 
B)  Reactivity 
C)  Persistence 
D)  Toxicity 
E)  All of these

Question 17

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 18

Bioaccumulation is important because it allows cells to

Accepted Answer

A)  Accumulate essential nutrients and minerals 
B)  Rid themselves of waste material 
C)  Protect themselves against toxins 
D)  Reproduce more quickly 
E)  Have a ready source of energy if it is needed 
A)  Accumulate essential nutrients and minerals 
B)  Rid themselves of waste material 
C)  Protect themselves against toxins 
D)  Reproduce more quickly 
E)  Have a ready source of energy if it is needed

Question 19

An interaction between substances which exacerbates their effects is known as

Accepted Answer

A)  complex amalgamation. 
B)  synergism. 
C)  sympatric interconnectivity. 
D)  None of these choices are correct 
A)  complex amalgamation. 
B)  synergism. 
C)  sympatric interconnectivity. 
D)  None of these choices are correct

Question 20

Highly persistent toxic chemicals

Accepted Answer

A)  Retain their toxicity as they cycle through the food chain and environment 
B)  Lose their toxicity once released in the environment 
C)  Accumulate within one organism but break down at higher trophic levels 
D)  Are highly unusual among artificial chemicals 
E)  Are usually not that toxic in their life span 
A)  Retain their toxicity as they cycle through the food chain and environment 
B)  Lose their toxicity once released in the environment 
C)  Accumulate within one organism but break down at higher trophic levels 
D)  Are highly unusual among artificial chemicals 
E)  Are usually not that toxic in their life span

Exam 8: Environmental Health and Toxicology

An LD50 is a dose of a toxic chemical that

Between 1990 and 2010, what showed the biggest rank increase for the "Leading Causes of Global Disease Burden?"

Hazardous substances ______________ while toxins are ______________.

_______________, rather than ______________, are becoming the leading causes of disability and premature death worldwide.

Substances that interrupt normal hormone action can impact human health in many ways beyond sexual function.

Historically, the greatest threats to human health came from

The biomagnification of DDT demonstrates that

Individuals represented by the left end of the dose/response curve (responding to doses between 0 and 10 ppm) are ______________ for that population.

If 100 cups of strong coffee contain a lethal dose of caffeine, why don't coffee drinkers eventually die from caffeine overdose?

In humans and other mammals, ingested poisons are primarily detoxified by the

Tumors can grow because of exposure to

Historically, which of the following considerations in setting standards for toxic exposure has been emphasized the least?

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

Detection of toxic chemicals depends upon

Two problems encountered in human health risk assessment are _______________________ and ___________________.

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

Most people do their own personal risk assessments based upon

Bioaccumulation is important because it allows cells to

An interaction between substances which exacerbates their effects is known as

Highly persistent toxic chemicals

Understanding Our Environment

Principles of Science and Systems

Matter, Energy, and Life

Evolution, Biological Communities, and Species Interactions

Biomes: Global Patterns of Life

Population Biology

Human Populations

Food and Hunger

Farming: Conventional and Sustainable Practices

Biodiversity: Preserving Species

Biodiversity: Preserving Landscapes

Restoration Ecology

Geology and Earth Resources

Climate Change

Air Pollution

Water Use and Management

Water Pollution

Conventional Energy

Sustainable Energy

Solid, Toxic, and Hazardous Waste

Urbanization and Sustainable Cities

Ecological Economics

Environmental Policy, Law, and Planning

What Then Shall We Do

Filters

Hazardous substances while toxins are .

_, rather than , are becoming the leading causes of disability and premature death worldwide.

Two problems encountered in human health risk assessment are _____ and _.