BLOCK 9: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH - Unit 3: Environmental Toxicology (complete)

Question 1

The introduction or presence of a foreign substance in the environment.

Answer 1

CONTAMINATION

The presence of contaminants does not necessarily mean that the environment poses a health risk.

Question 2

Any substances in the environment that derogates the natural quality of the environment, upsets the senses (sight, taste, or smell), or causes a health hazard.

Answer 2

POLLUTION

Question 3

The origin of environmental contamination.

Answer 3

EXPOSURE SOURCE

Question 4

Once released to the environment, contaminants move through and across different media (air, water, or soil) and some degrade altogether.

Answer 4

FATE and TRANSPORT

Question 5

The specific location where individuals might come into contact with a contaminated medium.

Answer 5

EXPOSURE POINT

Question 6

The means by which the contaminant actually enters or contacts the body such as ingestion, inhalation, or dermal contact.

Answer 6

EXPOSURE ROUTE

Question 7

Individuals that may come or may have come in contact with contaminants.

Answer 7

RECEPTOR POPULATION

Question 8

Environmental ____________________ is the link between the release of a chemical from a source and its contact with a receptor at the exposure point.

Answer 8

FATE AND TRANSPORT

Question 9

The actual release or discharge of the material from a source.

Answer 9

EMISSION

Question 10

The normal migration or movement of the contaminant through a medium.

Answer 10

ADVECTION/CONVECTION

Question 11

The spreading of contaminants in a liquid, gas, or solid phase due to impingement of the contaminant by that phase material.

Answer 11

DISPERSION

Question 12

The retardation, degradation, or adsorption of a contaminant.

Answer 12

ATTENUATION

Question 13

Refers to the maximum concentration of a chemical that dissolves in a given amount of pure water.

Answer 13

WATER SOLUBILITY

Question 14

Refers to a liquid’s mass per volume.

Answer 14

DENSITY

Question 15

A measure of the volatility of a chemical in its pure state; can essentially determine how rapidly contaminants will evaporate from surface soils or water bodies into the air.

Answer 15

VAPOR PRESSURE

Question 16

Contaminants with _______________ vapor pressures will evaporate more readily.

Answer 16

HIGHER

Question 17

A measure of the tendency for a chemical to pass from an aqueous (watery) solution to the vapor phase. It is a function of molecular weight, solubility, and vapor pressure.

Answer 17

HENRY’S LAW CONSTANT

Question 18

A __________ Henry’s Law Constant corresponds to a greater tendency for a chemical to volatilize to air.

Answer 18

HIGH

Question 19

The breakdown of organic compounds by microorganisms – a significant environmental process in soil.

Answer 19

BIODEGREDATION

Question 20

Some commonly cited climatic factors are:

Answer 20

• Annual precipitation and evaporation rates
• Temperature conditions
• Wind speed and direction
• Seasonal conditions

Question 21

____________________ conditions will influence how fast and in what direction contaminants in soil and ground water might move, and, ultimately, if and how contaminants might come into contact with people – the receptor.

Answer 21

GEOLOGICAL and HYDROGEOLOGICAL

Question 22

TRUE OR FALSE:

All forms of air pollution (gases, particulates, or liquid droplets) can damage human health.

Answer 22

TRUE

Hazardous chemicals in the air can damage our lungs and enter our bloodstream. Since blood picks up oxygen in the lungs and carries it to every cell in the organism, an agent present in the lungs may affect any organ.

Question 23

Human ____________________ are among the most serious effects of water pollution, especially in developing countries, where sanitation may be inadequate or non-existent.

Answer 23

INFECTIOUS DESEASES

Question 24

_______________ diseases occur when parasites or other disease-causing microorganisms are transmitted via contaminated water.

Answer 24

WATERBORNE

Question 25

The most common chemicals involved in causing soil pollution are ____________________.

Answer 25

• PETROLEUM HYDROCARBONS
• HEAVY METALS
• PESTICIDES
• SOLVENTS