Lecture 5 (Everyday Inhalation Exposures)

Question 1

what are temp inversions?

Answer 1

hot air sitting above cooler air near ground level

trap particles in the valley –> respiratory issues and death

Question 2

what are PM10 particles?

Answer 2

inhalable particles with diameter generally 10 micrometers or smaller

Question 3

what are the health effects of PM10 particles?

Answer 3

pneumonia and pleurisy

bronchitis and asthma

Question 4

what is silicosis caused by?

Answer 4

inhalation of silicon dioxide particles

Question 5

what are symptoms of acute silicosis?

Answer 5

difficulty breathing
fever
cough
weight loss
rapid progression into respiratory failure

Question 6

what counts as chronic silicosis?

Answer 6

latency period of longer than 10 yrs

fibrotic nodules present in X-rays

increased risk of tuberculosis

Question 7

what is silica?

Answer 7

major component of earth’s crust

most common element after oxygen

Question 8

what is asbestos?

Answer 8

naturally-occurring fibrous minerals

resistant to heat, electricity, and chemical damage

Question 9

health risks of asbestos exposure:

Answer 9

asbestosis (lung tissue scarring and shortness of breath)

lung cancer

mesothelioma (cancer in thin tissue that lines internal organs)

Question 10

how did Mike Malloy die?

Answer 10

carbon monoxide poisoning

very similar to flu symptoms

Question 11

what did Hong Kong professor use to kill his family using yoga ball?

Answer 11

carbon monoxide