MODULE III (Part II)

Waste Management and Public Health Aspects

1. Which was the first city to an established system of waste removal?
a) Lahore b) Athens c) Paris d) London
Explanation: In ancient cities, food scraps and other waste were simply thrown onto the unpaved
streets where they accumulated and cause various diseases. Around 320 BC in Athens, the first
known law forbidding this practice was established.
2. Why burning waste is not an acceptable practice of solid waste management?
a) Because it is very costly b) Because it requires modern technologies
c) Because it cause several environmental issues
d) Because it requires lot of space
Explanation: Burning waste is not an acceptable practice, because if we look into environmental
or health prospective burning waste creates lots of pollution and it is harmful to both environment
and as well as organisms.

3. What plan should we make to the disposal of solid waste?

a) Integrated waste management plan b) Recycling of waste management plan
c) Reducing of waste management plan d) Use of waste management plan
Explanation: The disposal of solid waste should be part of an integrated waste management plan.
This integrated solid waste management is the method of collection, processing, resource recovery
and final disposal of solid waste.
4. The term ‘Municipal Solid Waste’ is used to describe which kind of solid waste?
a) Hazardous b) Toxic c) Nonhazardous d) Non toxic
Explanation: The term ‘municipal Solid Waste’ is generally used to describe most of the non-
hazardous solid waste from a city, town or village that requires routine collection and transport to
a processing or disposal site.
5. How many main components are there in integrated waste management?
a) One b) Two c) Three d) Four
Explanation: An integrated waste management strategy includes three main components they are
source reduction, recycling and disposal. All these three types plays an important role in the solid
waste management.
6. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) contains a wide variety of materials.
a) True b) False
Explanation: MSW contains a wide variety of materials. It can contain food waste which is
classified as wet garbage and paper, plastic, tetra packs, plastic cans, glass bottles, metal items,
wood pieces, aluminum foil and many more items.
7. Which of the integrated waste management is reduced on an individual level?
a) Source reduction b) Recycling c) Disposal d) Burning
Explanation: Source reduction is one of the fundamental ways to reduce waste. On an individual
level, we can reduce the use of unnecessary items while shopping, avoid buying disposable items
and avoid using plastic carry bags.
8. Which of the following can be recycled many times?
a) Plastic b) Wood c) Organic materials d) Aluminum
Explanation: Recycling is reusing some components of the waste that has some economic value.
Aluminum can be recycled many times. Mining of new aluminum is expensive hence recycling of
aluminum plays a significant role in aluminum industry.
9.Why plastics are difficult to recycle?
a) Because it is very hard material b) Because it is very adhesive in its nature
c) Because of different types of polymer resins d) Because of different sizes of plastic
Explanation: Plastic are difficult to recycle because of the different types of polymer resins in their
production. Since each type has a distinct chemical composition, different plastics cannot be
recycled together.
10. How many key characteristics of a municipal sanitary landfill are there?
a) One b) Two c) Three d) Four
Explanation: The three key characteristics of a municipal sanitary 1andfi11 that distinguish it from
an open dump are: Solid waste is placed in a suitably selected and prepared landfill site, the waste
material is spread out and compacted with appropriate heavy machinery, the waste is covered each
day with a layer of compacted soil.
11. How does organic material in the buried solid waste will decompose?
a) By the action of oxidation b) By the action of microorganisms
c) By the flow of water d) By the soil particles
Explanation: The organic material in the buried solid waste will decompose due to the action of
microorganisms. At first the waste decomposes aerobically until the oxygen that was present in
the freshly placed fill is used up by the aerobic microorganisms.

12. What is called for the process of burning municipal solid waste in a properly designed
furnace under suitable temperature and operating conditions?
a) Landfill b) Recycling c) Vermicomposting d) Incineration
Explanation: Incineration is a chemical process in which the combustible portion of the waste is
combined with oxygen forming carbon dioxide and water, which are released into the atmosphere.
Suitable temperature and operating conditions are required to achieve for incineration.
13. Why the recycled paper is banned for use in food containers?
a) Because it creates contamination b) Because it creates a lot of spaces
c) Because paper can be used only one time
d) Because paper is very thick and can’t cover the food containers
Explanation: Recycled paper is banned for use in food containers to prevent the possibility of
contamination. It very often costs less to transport raw-paper pulp than scrap paper. Collection,
sorting and transport account for about 90% of the cost of paper recycling.
14. Land filling is an economic alternative for solid waste disposal and it can be implemented
easily.
a) True
b) False
Explanation: Although land filling is an economic alternative for solid waste disposal, it becomes
increasingly difficult to find suitable landfilling sites within economic hauling distance. There will
be a danger of some environmental damage in the form of leakage of leachate.
15. The process of burning of municipal solid waste at high temperature is called
a) Incineration c) Land filing b) Composting d) Shredding
Explanation: Incineration is the most sanitary method of disposal of municipal solid waste. Solid
waste should have a high calorifie value.
16. Which of the following is a biodegradable waste?
a) Polythene bags b) Synthetic fiber c) Food waste d) Paper Answer: c
Explanation: Polythene bags, synthetic fiber and paper are non-biodegradable wastes whereas food
waste is a biodegradable waste.
17. In which method of disposal of municipal solid waste, the waste is dumped in the soil?
a) Incineration b) Composting c) Land filing d) Shredding
Explanation: Land filling is a process of disposal of solid waste under the soil. It is usually done
in low lying areas to prevent unhygienic conditions.

18. Which of the following is correct regarding disposal of waste by land filling?
a) Economical method b) Preferred in low lying areas
c) Foul gases are not produced d) Separation of different types of waste not required
Explanation: Land fi11 gases are produced during the dumping of waste. They are foul smell
creating unhygienic conditions.
19. The density of ash produced in the municipal solid waste is
a) 100 kg/m3 b) 450 kg/m3 c) 700 kg/m3 d) 1000 kg/m3 Answer: c
Explanation: The range of the d density of ash produced from the municipal solid waste is 700-
850kg/m3.
20. The process of decomposition of biodegradable solid waste by earthworms is called
a) Landfills b) Shredding c) Vermi-composting d) Composting
Explanation: The process of decomposition of biodegradable solid waste by earthworms is called
Vermi-composting.
21. The waste produced in cotton mills are
a) Municipal solid waste b) Non biodegradable waste
c) Hazardous waste d) Non hazardous waste
Explanation: The industrial waste is produced by cotton mills which are biodegradable and are non
hazardous.
22. Which of the following is not the land filling method?
a) Bangalore method b) Area method c) Depression method d) Trench method
Explanation: Bangalore method is a method of composting whereas area, depression and trench
method are the land filling method.
23…… is a liquid that passes through solid waste and extracts suspended impurities from it.
a) Leachate b) Sludge c) Distilled water d) Municipal waste
Explanation: Leachate is a liquid that passes through solid waste and extracts suspended impurities
from it. It can be minimized by the use of clay lines.
25. Which of the following is not the municipal solid waste?
a) Radioactive substance b) Ashes c) Food waste d) Rubbish
Explanation: Rubbish, food waste and food waste are municipal solid waste, whereas radioactive
substances are industrial waste.
26. Which of the following waste can be decomposed by bacteria?
a) Radioactive substance b) Ashes c) Food waste d) Rubbish
Explanation: Food waste can be decomposed by bacteria as they are biodegradable waste, whereas
ashes, rubbish is non biodegradable.
27. is the cutting and tearing of municipal solid waste.
a) Land fills b) Shredding c) Pulverization d) Composting
Explanation: Shredding is the cutting and tearing of municipal solid waste. It helps in reducing the
size and volume of municipal solid waste.
28. is the crushing and grinding of municipal solid waste.
a) Landfills b) Shredding c) Pulverization d) Composting
Explanation: Pulverization is the crushing and grinding of municipal solid waste. It changes the
character of municipal solid waste and reduced its volume by 40%.
29. In which method of composting, decomposition of anaerobic waste takes place?
a) Indian method b) Depression method c) Bangalore method d) Trench method Answer: c
Explanation: In the Bangalore method of composting, decomposition of anaerobic waste takes
place. It is better than the Indore method.
30. Which of the following is a biological method of disposal of municipal solid waste?
a) Landfills b) Shredding c) Pulverization d) Composting
Explanation: Composting is a biological method of decomposing the municipal solid waste under
aerobic and anaerobic condition. It results in the production of humus.
31. The different ways a person can come into contact with hazardous chemicals are called
a) Exposure pathways b) Toxic pathways c) Chemical pathways d) Hazard pathways
Explanation: There are three basic exposure pathways which are inhalation, ingestion, and skin
contact. Inhalation is breathing or inhaling into the lungs. Ingestion is taking something in by
mouth. Skin contact occurs when something comes in direct contact with skin.
32. Ingestion can be called secondary exposure pathway after skin contact happens.
a) False
b) True
Explanation: Ingestion can be a secondary exposure pathway after skin contact happens only if the
exposed person put his hands in his mouth and transfer the chemical from his hands to his mouth.
33. Minamata, Japan hazard outbreak had effect on the population.
a) Direct b) Acute c) Minimal d) Chronic
Explanation: Hazard outbreak in Minamata, Japan in 1956 caused due to consumption of
Methylmercury in fish. It lead to neurological disease which is popularly known as Minamata
disease.
34. Exposure to caused environmental hazard in USA in the year 1985.
a) Methylisocyanate b) Lead in paint
c) Carbamate pesticide d) Lead
Explanation: Consumption of watermelons which had been sprayed with carbamate pesticide in
California, in the year 1985 lead to environmental outbreak. It effected gastrointestinal, skeletal,
muscle, autonomic and central nervous system.
35. Which of the following chemical is responsible for London smog episode?
a) Sulphur dioxide b) Sulphur c) Sulphur trioxide d) Sulphur oxide
Explanation: Severe air-pollution with sulphur dioxide and suspended particulate matter (SPM)
caused London smog episode in 1952. Increase in heart and lung disease manifestations was
reported.
36. Environmental disease outbreak in Toyama, Japan was due to
a) Lead b) Cadmium c) Mercury d) Zinc
Explanation: Cadmium in rice caused kidney and bone disease to wide population in Toyama,
Japan in 1950s.
37.Which of the following chemical is responsible for acute lung disease from Bhopal gas
tragedy?
a) Methylisocyanate b) Methyl c) Methylisocyanade d) Methylcyanate
Explanation: The Bhopal gas tragedy was an industrial accident which happened at a pesticide
plant in the city of Bhopal, India. In 1984, the plant released tonnes of toxic methylisocyanate
(MIC) gas, exposing wide range of population to toxic gases.
38.. Heavy metals like Arsenic, Cadmium and Cyanide effects
a) Immune system b) Nervous system c) Skin d) Respiratory system
Explanation: Arsenic from pressure treated wood, cadmium from discarded batteries, carbon
monoxide from car exhaust, and cyanide from rat poison causes effect on nervous system.
39. Acute effects may take years to show up.
a) True b) False
Explanation: Acute effects show up immediately or soon after exposure to the chemical. It may be
minor, like nose or throat irritation, or could be serious, like eye damage whereas chronic (long-
term) effects may take years to show up and these effects are permanent.
40. What is chronic toxicity?
a) Effects due to long term exposure b) Effects due to short term exposure
c) Effects due to exposure d) Benefits due to exposure
Explanation: Hazardous substances produce toxic effects in humans or the environment after
prolonged exposure to the substance, which is called chronic toxicity.

41. What is acute toxicity?

a) Effects due to long term exposure c) Effects due to exposure
b) Effects due to short term exposure d) Benefits due to exposure
Explanation: Some hazardous substances produce toxic effects in humans or the environment after
a single, episodic release. These toxic effects are referred to as acute toxicity
42. What is the iron and steel constitute ofe-waste?
a) 20 b) 30 c) 40 d) 50
Explanation: E-waste consists of iron and steel constitute about 50%, followed by plastics (21%),
non-ferrous metals (13%) and other constituents.
43. Which of the following element make e-waste hazardous in nature?
a) Lead b) Glass c) Plastic d) Iron
Explanation: The presence of elements like lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, selenium, hexavalent
chromium, and flame retardants beyond threshold quantities make e-waste hazardous in nature.
44. In 2006, the IAER projected that electronic and electrical appliances would become e-
waste by 2010.
a) 1 billion b) 2 billion c) 3 billion d) 4 billion
Explanation: In 2006, the International Association of Electronics Recyclers (IAER) projected that
3 billion electronic and electrical appliances would become WEEE or e-waste by 2010.
45. According to the Comptroller and Auditor- General’s (CAG) report what is the amount of
e- waste generated annually?
a) 4LT b) 5LT c) 6LT d) 7LT
Explanation: According to CAG report over 4 lakh tonnes of electronic waste, 1.5 MT of plastic
waste, 1.7 MT of medical waste, 48 MT of municipal waste are generated in the country annually.
46. What is the hazardous pollutant released from LED’s?
a) Arsenic b) Barium c) Cobalt d) Cadmium
Explanation: Semiconductors, diodes, microwaves, LED’s (Light-emitting diodes), solar cells
releases arsenic into the environment.
47. What is the hazardous pollutant released from electron tubes?
a) Arsenic b) Cobalt c) Barium d) Cadmium
Explanation: Electron tubes, filler for plastic and rubber, lubricant additives releases barium into
the environment.

48. What is the hazardous pollutant released from batteries?

a) Arsenic b) Barium c) Cobalt d) Cadmium
Explanation: Batteries, pigments, solder, alloys, circuit boards, computer batteries, monitor
cathode ray tubes (CRT) releases cadmium when handled improperly.
49. Insulators release chrome.
a) True b) False
Explanation: Chrome is released by dyes or pigments, switches, solar panels whereas, insulators
release cobalt.
50. What is the hazardous pollutant released from inductive coils?
a) Arsenic b) Barium c) Cobalt d) Copper
Explanation: Conductor in cables, copper ribbons, coils, circuitry, and pigments releases copper
pollutant into environment.
51. What is the hazardous pollutant released from circuit boards?
a) Arsenic b) Barium c) Lead d) Copper
Explanation: Lead rechargeable batteries, solar, transistors, lithium batteries, PVC, (polyvinyl
chloride) stabilizers, lasers, LED’s, thermoelectric elements, and circuit boards releases lead
pollutant into environment.
52. What is the hazardous pollutant released from telephones?
a) Lithium b) Barium c) Lead d) Copper
Explanation: Mobile telephones, photographic equipment, video equipment (batteries) releases
lithium pollutant into environment.
53. What is the hazardous pollutant released from calculators?
a) Lithium b) Mercury c) Lead d) Copper
Explanation: Components in copper machines and steam irons; batteries in clocks and pocket
calculators, switches, LCDs release mercury into environment when improperly handled.
54. Nickel is released from
a) Display b) Calculator c) Alloy d) Transformers
Explanation: Nickel is released into environment from alloys, batteries, relays, semiconductors,
and pigments.
55. Which of the hazardous pollutant occurs in plastic?
a) Lithium b) PCBs c) Lead d) Copper
Explanation: Transformers, capacitors, softening agents for paint, glue, and plastic contains PCBs
(polychlorinated biphenyls).