Environmental Health Practice Questions

Q: Cytotoxic and expired drug disposal is done by which method?

Burning. ***Burning*** - **Incineration** (burning) at high temperatures is the most effective and safest method for disposing of cytotoxic and expired drugs. - This process ensures the complete destruction of **active pharmaceutical ingredients** and renders them harmless. - **High-temperature incineration** (>1200°C) is recommended for cytotoxic waste as per Biomedical Waste Management Rules. *Dumping* - **Dumping** drugs indiscriminately into the environment can lead to significant **environmental pollution**, contaminating water and soil. - This method poses serious risks to both **human health** and **wildlife** due to potential exposure to toxic substances. *Autoclave* - An **autoclave** uses **steam sterilization** under high pressure and temperature, primarily for sterilizing medical waste and equipment. - It is generally **ineffective** for the complete destruction of chemical compounds in cytotoxic and expired drugs. - Autoclaving is suitable for infectious waste, not chemical/pharmaceutical waste. *Landfill* - Disposing of cytotoxic and expired drugs in a **landfill** can lead to **leaching** of harmful chemicals into the groundwater and soil. - This method is environmentally unsound as it can result in **long-term contamination** and exposure risks.

Q: Anemometer measures?

Air velocity. ***Air velocity*** - An **anemometer** is a device specifically designed to measure **wind speed** or the **velocity of air currents**. - It is commonly used in **meteorology**, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems, and aerodynamic research. *Humidity* - **Humidity** is measured by a **hygrometer**, which quantifies the amount of water vapor in the air. - An anemometer does not have the capability to measure atmospheric moisture content. *Room temperature* - **Room temperature** is measured by a **thermometer**, which detects the thermal energy of the air. - While air velocity can influence perceived temperature, the anemometer directly measures movement, not heat. *Radiant temperature* - **Radiant temperature** is measured by a **radiometer** or an **infrared thermometer**, which assesses the heat emitted by surfaces. - This is distinct from air movement and requires different sensor technology.

Q: Which category waste is disposed in red bags?

Contaminated recyclable waste (Category 3). ***Contaminated recyclable waste (Category 3)*** - **Red bags** are specifically designated for the disposal of **contaminated recyclable waste**, which includes items like tubing, catheters, intravenous sets, and soiled plastic bottles. - This waste is often contaminated with blood or body fluids but can be sterilized and recycled after proper treatment. *Human anatomical waste (Category 1)* - **Human anatomical waste**, such as tissues, organs, body parts, and fetuses, is typically disposed of in **yellow bags**. - This category usually requires incineration or deep burial due to its biological hazard. *Glassware and metallic implants (Category 2)* - **Glassware** (e.g., broken glass, used vials) and **metallic implants** (e.g., orthopedic implants) are typically disposed of in puncture-proof containers, often **blue** or transparent bins, for safe handling and potential recycling. - These items are separated to prevent injuries and facilitate specific recycling or treatment methods. *Pharmaceutical waste (Category 4)* - **Pharmaceutical waste** includes discarded medicines, expired drugs, and cytotoxic drugs, and it is usually collected in **yellow bags** or designated labeled containers. - Its disposal requires specific chemical treatment, incineration, or secure landfilling to prevent environmental contamination.

Q: Which of the following is not typically incinerated?

Broken thermometers. ***Broken thermometers*** - **Broken thermometers** often contain **mercury**, which, when incinerated, releases **toxic mercury vapor** into the atmosphere. - This poses a severe environmental and health hazard, requiring them to be handled as **hazardous waste** and recycled or disposed of in specialized facilities to prevent mercury release. *Human anatomical waste* - **Human anatomical waste**, including body parts, tissues, and recognizable organs, is highly infectious and poses significant biohazard risks. - **Incineration** is the preferred method for its disposal to ensure complete destruction of pathogens and reduce environmental contamination. *Animal waste* - **Animal waste** from research or healthcare settings (e.g., infected animal carcasses, bedding with animal excreta) is considered **biohazardous**. - **Incineration** effectively neutralizes pathogens and reduces the volume of such waste, preventing disease transmission. *Infected solid waste* - **Infected solid waste**, such as bandages, swabs, and disposable medical devices contaminated with blood or bodily fluids, carries a high risk of spreading infectious diseases. - **Incineration** at high temperatures ensures sterilization and safe disposal of these materials, destroying pathogenic microorganisms.

Q: Which indicator is used in Horroch's apparatus?

Starch iodine. ***Starch iodine*** - Horroch's apparatus is specifically designed for testing the **sterilizing efficiency of hypochlorite solutions** in dairies. - **Starch iodine** (starch-iodide paper) is used as an indicator because it reacts with residual free chlorine to produce a **blue-black color**, which confirms that adequate free chlorine is present for effective sterilization. - The principle: Free chlorine oxidizes iodide to iodine, which then reacts with starch to give the characteristic blue color. *Bleaching powder* - **Bleaching powder** (calcium hypochlorite) is the active ingredient in hypochlorite sterilizing solutions being tested, not an indicator itself. - It's the substance whose sterilizing efficacy is being evaluated using the apparatus. *Soda-lime* - **Soda-lime** is primarily used as an absorbent for **carbon dioxide (CO2)** and other acidic gases in various laboratory and anesthetic applications. - It has no role as an indicator in Horroch's apparatus for testing hypochlorite solutions. *Potassium permanganate* - **Potassium permanganate** is a strong oxidizing agent often used as an indicator in redox titrations, as its deep purple color disappears when reduced. - It is not suitable for indicating residual chlorine in Horroch's test, which specifically relies on the starch-iodine reaction.

Q: In water testing from a well using Horrock's apparatus, blue color appears from the 4th cup onwards. What is the amount of bleaching powder required to disinfect 75000 litres of water?

100 gm. ***100 gm*** - In **Horrock's apparatus** test, blue color appearing from the 4th cup indicates a **chlorine demand of 0.4 ppm (0.4 mg/L)** for the water sample. - **Total chlorine required** = 0.4 mg/L × 75,000 L = **30,000 mg = 30 gm** of pure chlorine. - Standard bleaching powder contains **30% available chlorine**, so: **Bleaching powder needed = 30 gm ÷ 0.30 = 100 gm**. - This is the scientifically accurate amount for disinfecting 75,000 liters of water with 0.4 ppm chlorine demand. *1000 gm* - This represents a **10-fold excess** over the actual requirement of 100 gm based on the measured chlorine demand. - Using 1000 gm would result in severe **over-chlorination** (4 ppm instead of 0.4 ppm), causing strong unpleasant taste, odor, and potential health concerns. *1600 gm* - This amount represents **16 times the required dose**, leading to dangerously high chlorine levels in the water. - Such excessive chlorination would make the water unpalatable and potentially toxic to consumers. *2000 gm* - This represents a **20-fold excess**, providing extreme and harmful over-disinfection. - Such excessive amounts could lead to **chlorine toxicity** and would be wasteful and harmful to consumers. *1300 gm* - This amount exceeds the calculated requirement by **13 times**, providing unnecessary and harmful over-disinfection. - The precise calculation based on **0.4 ppm chlorine demand** and **75,000 L volume** yields exactly **100 gm**, not 1300 gm.

Q: At what fluoride concentration in drinking water does skeletal fluorosis typically occur?

3-6 mg/L. ***3-6 mg/L*** - Chronic exposure to drinking water with **fluoride concentrations of 3-6 mg/L** represents the **threshold range** where **early skeletal fluorosis** begins to manifest. - At concentrations **≥4 mg/L**, fluoride accumulation in bones exceeds the body's excretory capacity, leading to **increased bone density, osteosclerosis**, and early symptoms like **joint stiffness and bone pain**. - This range captures the **onset of skeletal manifestations**, though more severe changes occur at higher concentrations. *< 1.5 mg/L* - This range is **optimal for preventing dental caries** without causing adverse effects. - Fluoride concentrations below 1.5 mg/L are **safe** and do not cause skeletal or dental fluorosis. - Many water fluoridation programs target **0.5-1.0 mg/L** for dental health benefits. *1.5-3 mg/L* - This range primarily causes **dental fluorosis** (enamel mottling and discoloration) with chronic exposure, especially during tooth development. - **Skeletal fluorosis does not typically occur** at these concentrations, as the threshold for bone involvement is higher. - This is considered the range for cosmetic concerns rather than systemic skeletal disease. *> 10 mg/L* - Concentrations exceeding 10 mg/L lead to **severe, crippling skeletal fluorosis** with marked bone deformities, ligament calcification, and potential neurological complications. - This represents **advanced disease** rather than the typical onset of skeletal fluorosis. - Such high concentrations are found in endemic fluorosis regions with contaminated groundwater.

Q: What distance from a water source defines a problem village according to the Government of India?

> 1.6 km. ***> 1.6 km*** - According to the **Government of India's criteria**, a village is designated as a **problem village** if its residents have to travel more than **1.6 kilometers** to access a safe and assured source of drinking water. - This definition is crucial for identifying areas that require specific interventions and programs to improve water access. *> 0.5 km* - While a distance of 0.5 km might be considered inconvenient, it does not meet the **official threshold** set by the Government of India for categorizing a village as "problematic" regarding water access. - This distance is typically much shorter than the criteria used for policy and intervention planning. *> 1 km* - A distance of 1 km, like 0.5 km, falls short of the **established benchmark** of 1.6 km defined by the Government of India for identifying a problem village. - Although it represents a significant walk, it does not trigger the specific **policy responses** associated with problem village status. *None of the options* - This option is incorrect because **1.6 km** is indeed the specific distance recognized by the Government of India for defining a problem village in terms of water source accessibility. - The other options are incorrect as they do not match the official criteria.

Q: Waste Sharps should be disposed in ?

Yellow bag. ***Yellow bag (Historical answer per BMW Rules 1998)*** - Under the **Biomedical Waste Management Rules 1998** (applicable at the time of NEET-PG 2015), **sharps waste** including needles, syringes, and scalpels were disposed in **yellow puncture-proof containers**. - This was the correct answer when this question was asked in the 2015 examination. - **Current Guidelines (BMW Rules 2016):** Sharps are now disposed in **white/translucent puncture-proof containers**, NOT yellow bags. Yellow bags are currently used for soiled infectious waste like dressings and body fluid-contaminated materials. *Black bag* - **Black bags** are used for **general non-hazardous waste** that poses no biological risk. - Disposing of sharps in black bags creates serious **risk of needlestick injuries** and potential transmission of bloodborne pathogens. *None of the options* - This is incorrect because there is a specific, regulated method for disposing of sharps in healthcare settings. - Proper waste segregation is **mandatory** for safety and regulatory compliance. *Blue bag* - **Blue bags** (per BMW Rules 2016) are used for disposal of **glassware** (broken or discarded) and **metallic body implants**. - Under older guidelines, blue bags were for certain pharmaceutical waste. - They are not designated for sharps disposal.

Q: Swajaldhara programme is associated with:

Provision of safe drinking water. ***Provision of safe drinking water*** - The **Swajaldhara programme** was launched by the Government of India in 2002 to accelerate coverage of **drinking water supply** in rural areas - Its primary objective was to ensure access to **safe and sustainable drinking water sources** through community participation and decentralized management - The program emphasized local ownership with communities contributing 10% of project costs *Provision of food supplements for destitute women* - Food security programs for women fall under separate social welfare schemes like ICDS and PDS - The **Swajaldhara programme** was specifically focused on **water supply infrastructure**, not nutrition *Provision of relief for victim of sexual abuse* - Relief for victims of sexual abuse is addressed through **justice and women's safety initiatives** (e.g., One Stop Centres, Nirbhaya Fund) - This is unrelated to the water supply mandate of Swajaldhara *Provision of health care for sick tribals* - Health care for tribal populations is managed through dedicated programs under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare - Swajaldhara's scope was limited to **rural drinking water infrastructure**, not healthcare delivery

Question 1

Cytotoxic and expired drug disposal is done by which method?

Accepted Answer

Burning

Answer

Dumping

Answer

Autoclave

Answer

Landfill

Question 2

Anemometer measures?

Accepted Answer

Air velocity

Answer

Humidity

Answer

Room temperature

Answer

Radiant temperature

Question 3

Which category waste is disposed in red bags?

Accepted Answer

Contaminated recyclable waste (Category 3)

Answer

Glassware and metallic implants (Category 2)

Answer

Human anatomical waste (Category 1)

Answer

Pharmaceutical waste (Category 4)

Question 4

Which of the following is not typically incinerated?

Accepted Answer

Broken thermometers

Answer

Animal waste

Answer

Infected solid waste

Answer

Human anatomical waste

Question 5

Which indicator is used in Horroch's apparatus?

Accepted Answer

Starch iodine

Answer

Potassium permanganate

Answer

Bleaching powder

Answer

Soda-lime

Question 6

In water testing from a well using Horrock's apparatus, blue color appears from the 4th cup onwards. What is the amount of bleaching powder required to disinfect 75000 litres of water?

Accepted Answer

100 gm

Answer

1600 gm

Answer

2000 gm

Answer

1300 gm

Question 7

At what fluoride concentration in drinking water does skeletal fluorosis typically occur?

Accepted Answer

3-6 mg/L

Answer

< 1.5 mg/L

Answer

1.5-3 mg/L

Answer

> 10 mg/L

Question 8

What distance from a water source defines a problem village according to the Government of India?

Accepted Answer

> 1.6 km

Answer

> 0.5 km

Answer

> 1 km

Answer

None of the options

Question 9

Waste Sharps should be disposed in ?

Accepted Answer

Yellow bag

Answer

Black bag

Answer

None of the options

Answer

Blue bag

Question 10

Swajaldhara programme is associated with:

Accepted Answer

Provision of safe drinking water

Answer

Provision of food supplements for destitute women

Answer

Provision of relief for victim of sexual abuse

Answer

Provision of health care for sick tribals

Environmental Health — MCQs

Environmental Health — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?