Air Quality Standards: An Overview

Description: Air Quality Standards: An Overview
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: air quality air pollution environmental standards
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Which of the following is NOT a primary air pollutant regulated by the Clean Air Act?

  1. Carbon monoxide

  2. Nitrogen dioxide

  3. Ozone

  4. Particulate matter


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Ozone is a secondary air pollutant formed by the reaction of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight.

What is the primary health concern associated with exposure to particulate matter?

  1. Cancer

  2. Heart disease

  3. Respiratory problems

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Particulate matter can cause a variety of health problems, including cancer, heart disease, and respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis.

Which of the following is NOT a criteria air pollutant regulated by the Clean Air Act?

  1. Carbon monoxide

  2. Lead

  3. Mercury

  4. Sulfur dioxide


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Mercury is a hazardous air pollutant, but it is not a criteria air pollutant regulated by the Clean Air Act.

What is the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone?

  1. 0.070 ppm

  2. 0.075 ppm

  3. 0.080 ppm

  4. 0.085 ppm


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The NAAQS for ozone is 0.070 ppm, averaged over an 8-hour period.

Which of the following is NOT a source of air pollution?

  1. Motor vehicles

  2. Power plants

  3. Industrial facilities

  4. Trees


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Trees are not a source of air pollution, but they can help to improve air quality by removing pollutants from the air.

What is the purpose of the Clean Air Act?

  1. To protect human health and the environment from air pollution

  2. To promote economic growth

  3. To reduce energy consumption

  4. To increase air pollution


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The purpose of the Clean Air Act is to protect human health and the environment from air pollution.

Which of the following is NOT a type of air pollutant?

  1. Primary pollutant

  2. Secondary pollutant

  3. Criteria pollutant

  4. Hazardous pollutant


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Criteria pollutants are a type of air pollutant regulated by the Clean Air Act, but they are not a type of air pollutant in general.

What is the primary health concern associated with exposure to nitrogen dioxide?

  1. Cancer

  2. Heart disease

  3. Respiratory problems

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Nitrogen dioxide can cause a variety of respiratory problems, including asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.

Which of the following is NOT a source of particulate matter?

  1. Motor vehicles

  2. Power plants

  3. Industrial facilities

  4. Volcanoes


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Volcanoes are not a source of particulate matter, but they can emit ash and other particles into the air.

What is the NAAQS for particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less (PM2.5)?

  1. 12 µg/m³

  2. 15 µg/m³

  3. 18 µg/m³

  4. 20 µg/m³


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The NAAQS for PM2.5 is 12 µg/m³, averaged over a 24-hour period.

Which of the following is NOT a strategy for reducing air pollution?

  1. Using renewable energy sources

  2. Improving energy efficiency

  3. Driving less

  4. Planting more trees


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Driving less is not a strategy for reducing air pollution, but it can help to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.

What is the NAAQS for sulfur dioxide?

  1. 0.030 ppm

  2. 0.040 ppm

  3. 0.050 ppm

  4. 0.060 ppm


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The NAAQS for sulfur dioxide is 0.030 ppm, averaged over a 1-hour period.

Which of the following is NOT a health effect of air pollution?

  1. Cancer

  2. Heart disease

  3. Respiratory problems

  4. Improved cognitive function


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Improved cognitive function is not a health effect of air pollution, but it is a health benefit of reducing air pollution.

What is the NAAQS for carbon monoxide?

  1. 9 ppm

  2. 10 ppm

  3. 11 ppm

  4. 12 ppm


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The NAAQS for carbon monoxide is 9 ppm, averaged over an 8-hour period.

Which of the following is NOT a greenhouse gas?

  1. Carbon dioxide

  2. Methane

  3. Nitrous oxide

  4. Oxygen


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Oxygen is not a greenhouse gas, but it is an essential component of the Earth's atmosphere.

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