Lab Exam 2 Flashcards
What are some things mined in MB?
Tin, nickel, tantalum, gold, zinc
Gold in MB is usually bound in a form called ______
arsenopyrite
What is an open pit mine?
Huge scar in the surface of the Earth
What does it mean to say that mines can enter “exploration” phases?
It means there are no environmental rules applies to the mine because they are just “exploring” the ore
how is mining effluent monitored in MB?
by the mining company themselves. so not at all
how are effluent regulations super shitty in MB?
Concentrations of compounds in effluent are laid out but volumes are not (people can just dilute them)
What as the case with industrial effluent of the smelter in Flin Flon?
they consistently exceeded guidelines and reported completely farcical data. when asked to clean up their act they would say they were bankrupt, and the government would let them get away with it because the whole town would be destroyed
How did the Flin Flon smelter act as an incinerator
we got stuff shipped here from the U.S. that it was illegal to smelt there
What did the Flin Flon smelter produce?
Mostly copper, but also zinc, and a few others
What came out of FLin Flon smelter?
Liquid effluent, sulphur dioxide gas,
how are water and sewage moved in Flin Flon and why?
Moved in tubes that are surrounded by a wood casings - because there is no soil!
Lead levels in Flin Flon are over ___x higher than normal levels
10x
Why is there no soil in Flin Flon?
Soil all erodes
Why are there no small mammals in Flin Flon?
small mammals would consume so much heavy metal from the vegetation that they would die from heavy metal poisoning
Flin flon has the highest rate of what health problems in MB?
Injuries due to work, cancer, and respiratory illness
What stopped workers in Flin Flon from getting tested for plumbism?
They were being demoted if they did it
Males in Flin Flon are more likely to die from ___ and ___ than elsewhere in MB
homicide, suicide
Pesiticides often break down - does that make them safe?
Not necessarily, sometimes the breakdown products are even MORE toxic
Why is it that pesticides are often approved despite being unsafe?
Companies are responsible for performing their OWN toxicity testing - this is because pesticide products are complex formulations of several chemicals (not listen on label because of Canada Trade Secrets Act)
What are some inorganic pesticides?
Heavy metals, arsenicals, cyanides, borates, and miscellaneous ones such as antimony and fluorine
Borates are used in what kind of pesticides?
used against ants because it tastes sweet
What are the types of organic pesticides?
naturally produced (biodegradable), synthetic (usually don’t degrade at all)
Pesticides derived from plants are called ____
botanicals
ORganophophate pesticides include what compounds?
Gylphosate, diazinon
Carbamates are primarily ____icides
insecticides
Organophosphates are typically ____icides
herbicides
Acetaldehyde polymers are used to kill what:?
Slugs, mostly
Neonicotinoid pesticides are made of what/
Chlorinated nicotine molecules
What plants are treated with neonicotinoids?
corn, soy, canola, sunflower, sugar beats
What are neonicotinoids toxic to?
Humans (neurotoxin), 100% toxic to bees, butterflies, birds, fish, aquatic invertebrates
What are some effects of neonicotinoids in humans?
Brain damage to fetus, learning disabilities in children
What causes colony collapse disorder?
Bees get amnesia after consuming neonicotinoids, then they can’t find the way back home
Are neonicotinoids used for homes?
Yes, on lawns, gardens, ornamentals with HUGE application rates
___% of albertan/sask. farmers showed symptoms of pesticide poisoning
10%
Farmers using 2,4-D and MCPA in Alb. and Sask. have higher rates of what diseases?
Lymphatic cancers, particularly non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Why are pesticides a bigger problem in ground water than in surface water?
No sunlight or O2 to break down products
Toxicity ratings of substances in Canada are based on ____ exposures?
Acute
What are the main things that toxicity guidelines do not take into account?
Only use active ingredient - do not account for other ingredients in the formation, do not include toxicity of breakdown products
What additional compound is added to roundup as a surfactant? Why is this an issue?
Mono-818, it is a “trade secret” product that actually causes poisoning in humans (not on label)
More than ____ pesticide ACTIVE ingredients are used in Can
600
The PMRA re-evaluation program resulted in changes to what?
Labels on pesticides, use/availability, application rates (though no guarantee people will follow), requirement of additional protective gear for applicator
IS organic food pesticide free?
No, in MB to be called “organic” food must be grown on land that hasn’t had pesticides in 3 years - but synthetic pesticides do not degrade in soil. Also, pesticides from nearby farmers may screw things up
What factors increase pesticide exposure toxicity?
Smoking, being a woman, alcohol consumption, age (young = risk increase for chronic exposure), lack of fiber, antioxidants in body
How can one reduce pesticide exposure?
be patient, pesticides don’t work overnight. Use separate bottles and stuff. idk
