Unit 7: POPs and Endocrine Disruptors

Question 1

Neurotoxin

Answer 1

Disrupts the nervous system.

Question 2

Carcinogen

Answer 2

Chemical that causes cancer.

Question 3

Teratogens

Answer 3

Interfere with the development of embryos or fetuses.

Question 4

Allergen

Answer 4

Chemicals that cause allergic reactions.

Question 5

Endocrine disruptor

Answer 5

A chemical that interferes with the hormones in a body.

Question 6

Lead source

Answer 6

Paint, gasoline.

Question 7

Lead effects

Answer 7

Impaired learning, nervous system disorders, death.

Question 8

Mercury source

Answer 8

Coal burning, fish consumption.

Question 9

Mercury effects

Answer 9

Damaged brain, kidneys, liver, and immune system.

Question 10

Asbestos source

Answer 10

Building materials.

Question 11

Asbestos effects

Answer 11

Impaired breathing, lung cancer.

Question 12

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) source

Answer 12

Industry

Question 13

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) effects

Answer 13

Cancer, impaired hearing, liver damage.

Question 14

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) persistence

Answer 14

8-15 years in water

Question 15

Radon source

Answer 15

Soil, water

Question 16

Radon effects

Answer 16

Lung cancer

Question 17

Radon persistence

Answer 17

4 days in air

Question 18

Atrazine source

Answer 18

Herbicides

Question 19

Atrazine effects

Answer 19

Feminization of males, low sperm count.

Question 20

Atrazine persistence

Answer 20

1 year in soil

Question 21

DDT source

Answer 21

Insecticides

Question 22

DDT effects

Answer 22

Feminization of males, thin eggshells of birds.

Question 23

DDT persistence

Answer 23

30 years in soil

Question 24

BPA source

Answer 24

Plastics, resins, packaged food and drinks.

Question 25

BPA effects

Answer 25

Increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease.

Question 26

BPA persistence

Answer 26

Persistent compound

Question 27

Phthalates source

Answer 27

Plastics, cosmetics.

Question 28

Phthalates effects

Answer 28

Feminization of males

Question 29

Phthalates persistence

Answer 29

Days to weeks

Question 30

Effect of POPs on ecosystems

Answer 30

Don’t easily breakdown in the environment because they are synthetic carbon-based molecules, can be toxic to organisms because they are soluble in fat leading to accumulation in organisms’ fatty tissues, and can travel over long distances.

Question 31

Particulate matter (PM)

Answer 31

Contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets so small that they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems.

Question 32

Synergism

Answer 32

The interaction of two or more substances to cause an effect greater than each of them individually.

Question 33

What do endocrine glands regulate?

Answer 33

Metabolism, growth and development, reproduction, and behavior.

Question 34

What do endocrine disruptors do?

Answer 34

Bind to the site on a cell where hormones from endocrine glands bind to a cell to start a process like insulin, testosterone, estrogen, etc.

Question 35

Why are POPs harmful?

Answer 35

Potential for long term transport and exposure to humans through the food chain.