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Question

Which of the following pollutants is the major cause of respiratory diseases?

This question was previously asked in
UGC NET 2016 Paper 2 Management Question Paper (22-Jan-2017)
The correct answer is

Suspended fine particles

The question deals with identifying the primary pollutant responsible for causing respiratory diseases among the given options. Understanding the characteristics of each pollutant can help determine the correct answer.

  • Suspended Fine Particles (PM2.5 and PM10): These are tiny particles suspended in the air, small enough to enter the respiratory system and cause respiratory problems such as asthma, lung inflammation, and other lung diseases. These particles are known for their ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, making them a major public health concern.
  • Nitrogen Oxides (NOx): These gases can also cause respiratory problems but are primarily known for contributing to smog formation and acid rain. Long-term exposure may affect respiratory function, but their direct impact on respiratory diseases is less pronounced compared to fine particles.
  • Carbon Monoxide (CO): This gas disrupts the ability of blood to carry oxygen, leading to cardiovascular effects, but is not directly linked to respiratory diseases.
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): These are released from certain solids or liquids and contribute to smog but are not majorly implicated in respiratory diseases directly.

From the analysis above, it is clear that suspended fine particles are the direct and significant cause of respiratory diseases, as they irritate lung tissue and cause respiratory issues. Therefore, the correct answer is Suspended Fine Particles.

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Similar Questions

  1. Give below are two statements:

    Statement I : Thermal pollution, usually effluent from cooling systems of power plants or other industries, alters water temperature in a lake or stream.

    Statement II : Humans also cause thermal pollution by altering vegetation cover and run-off patterns.

    In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  2. Major contributor to carbon monoxide emissions in metropolitan areas of India is/are:

  3. The most important pollutants that cause degradation of water quality in rivers and streams are
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    (b) Nutrients
    (c) Metals
    (d) Total dissolved solids
    (e) Algae
    Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

  4. The most dominant source of Benzene emissions in ambient air is

  5. Major sources of oxygen demanding waste in fresh water systems are

    (a) Agricultural run-off

    (b) Food processing

    (c) Ore mining

    (d) Sewage effluent

    (e) Landfill sites

    Choose the correct option from those given below: -

  6. Which of the following pollutant gases is not produced both naturally and as a result of industrial activity?

  7. Assertion (A): In urban areas, smog episodes occur frequently in winters.

    Reason (R): In winters, a lot of biomass is burnt by people for heating purposes or to keep themselves warm.

    Choose the correct answer from the code given below:

  8. With increase in temperature, the dissolved oxygen content in a water body will:

  9. In the formation of Surface Ozone, which of the following do play an important role?
    (a) Oxides of nitrogen
    (b) Oxides of sulphur
    (c) Sunlight
    (d) Carbon monoxide
    Choose the correct answer from the code given below:

  10. The most harmful types of environmental pollutants are:


Important Questions from Pollution

  1. Which of the following isnota common component of photo-chemical smog?

  2. Which of the following is NOT the main objective of Ganga action plan?

  3. Which of the following pollutants causes water pollution ?

  4. Presence of which pathogenic microbe in water is indication of contamination?

  5. Which of the following isnota vehicular pollutant?

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