250+ TOP MCQs on Groundwater Contamination – Health Effects and Regulations and Answers

Hazardous Waste Management Multiple Choice Questions on “Groundwater Contamination – Health Effects and Regulations”.

1. Groundwater containing bacteria and viruses can result in __________
a) Cholera
b) Methemoglobinemia
c) Kidney problem
d) Liver problem
Answer: a
Clarification: Groundwater used for drinking water containing bacteria and viruses can result in illnesses such as hepatitis, cholera, or giardiasis.

2. __________ is caused by drinking water high in nitrates.
a) Cholera
b) Methemoglobinemia
c) Kidney problem
d) Liver problem
Answer: b
Clarification: Methemoglobinemia or blue baby syndrome, is an illness affecting infants, caused by drinking water that is high in nitrates.

3. __________ contaminant causes kidney and liver problems if present in groundwater.
a) Benzene
b) Toluene
c) Benzotoulene
d) Lead
Answer: a
Clarification: Benzene, a component of gasoline, is a known human carcinogen. The serious health effects of lead are well known for learning disabilities in children, nerve, kidney, and liver problems; and pregnancy risks.

4. __________ is caused due to groundwater contamination by septic tank.
a) Cholera
b) Methemoglobinemia
c) Kidney problem
d) Hepatitis
Answer: d
Clarification: In areas where septic tanks are installed improperly, groundwater may become infected with hepatitis due to presence of human waste in the water supply.

5. _________ from leachate cause abdominal pain in humans in case of acute exposure.
a) Lead
b) Benzene
c) Mercury
d) Cadmium
Answer: a
Clarification: Lead from leachate cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, confusion, drowsiness, and seizures in humans in case of acute exposure.

6. _________ from leachate cause chest pain in humans in case of acute exposure.
a) Lead
b) Benzene
c) Mercury
d) Cadmium
Answer: d
Clarification: Cadmium from leachate cause metallic taste, cough, chest pain, nausea, diarrhea, skin irritation in humans in case of acute exposure.

7. _________ from leachate can lead to coma in humans in case of acute exposure.
a) Lead
b) Benzene
c) Phenol
d) Cadmium
Answer: c
Clarification: Phenol or cresols from leachate can lead to coma, burning pain in the mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, and shock in humans in case of acute exposure.

8. _________ from leachate can lead to gum disease in humans in case of acute exposure.
a) Nickel
b) Benzene
c) Phenol
d) Cadmium
Answer: a
Clarification: Nickel from leachate can lead to gum disease, skin irritation, dermatitis, and diarrhoea in humans in case of acute exposure.

9. Leachate containing lead causes _________ in humans in case of long term exposure.
a) Anorexia
b) Tremor
c) Anaemia
d) Renal failure
Answer: a
Clarification: Lead causes anorexia, abdominal pain, constipation, chronic nephropathy, and hypertension in humans in case of long term exposure.

10. Leachate containing mercury causes _________ in humans in case of long term exposure.
a) Anorexia
b) Tremor
c) Anaemia
d) Renal failure
Answer: b
Clarification: Mercury causes tremors, memory loss, seizures, coma, irritability, acute kidney failure, decrease in platelets, anaemia that follows gastrointestinal bleed in humans in case of long term exposure.

11. _________ regulates ground water that is shown to have a connection with surface water.
a) CWA
b) SDWA
c) RCRA
d) CERCLA
Answer: a
Clarification: The Clean Water Act regulates ground water that is shown to have a connection with surface water. It sets standards for allowable pollutant discharges to surface water.

12. SDWA established _________ drinking water source protection programs.
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
Answer: c
Clarification: The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) established three drinking water source protection programs: the Wellhead Protection Program, Sole Source Aquifer Program, and the Source Water Assessment Program.

13. __________ regulates treatment and storage of hazardous waste to prevent contamination.
a) CWA
b) SDWA
c) RCRA
d) CERCLA
Answer: c
Clarification: The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulates treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes to prevent contamination.

14. __________ act authorizes the government to clean up contamination from hazardous substances.
a) CWA
b) SDWA
c) RCRA
d) CERCLA
Answer: d
Clarification: The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, or Superfund) authorizes the government to clean up contamination or sources of potential contamination from hazardous waste sites or chemical spills, including those that threaten drinking water supplies.

15. __________ regulates pesticide use to prevent groundwater contamination.
a) FIFRA
b) SDWA
c) RCRA
d) CERCLA
Answer: a
Clarification: The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) regulates pesticide use and Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulates manufactured chemicals to prevent groundwater contamination.

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