APES - Unit 4 Questions, Exams of Nursing

Download APES - Unit 4 Questions and more Exams Nursing in PDF only on Docsity! APES - Unit 4 Questions Briefly describe the structure of the atmosphere, being sure to include the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and the boundaries between each set of layers. - correct answer Troposphere: atmospheric layer closest to the earth's surface; layer in which weather occurs; ozone layer separates the troposphere and stratosphere Stratosphere: location of ozone layer; "global sunscreen", prevents harmful UV radiation from getting into the earth; allows other life forms to exist on earth and prevents serious sunburn Mesosphere: coldest region of the atmosphere; protects the earth from meteors Summarize ways in which humans disrupt Earth's major gaseous nutrient cycles. - correct answer Production of excessive amounts of carbon dioxide disrupt the carbon cycle by adding more carbon into the air than the plants can remove. This leads pollution of the air and disruption of the cycle. Addition of nitrogen and sulfur has the same impact on the cycles in that each cycle is disrupted by excess production. Distinguish between primary pollutants and secondary pollutants; stationary sources and mobile sources; photochemical smog and industrial smog. Discuss in detail each the major outdoor pollutants: Carbon Oxides, Nitrogen Oxides and nitric acid, Sulfur Dioxide and sulfuric acid, particulates, ozone, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and lead. Describe how smog is formed. Describe a thermal inversion and conditions under which it is most likely to occur. - correct answer Primary Pollutants: chemicals or substances emitted directly into the air from natural processes and human activities at concentrations high enough to cause harm Secondary Pollutants: the reaction of primary pollutants in the air, causing new harmful chemicals (more reactions when it is hot because particles move faster and hit harder) Stationary Sources: air pollution that results from sources that will never move (factories, power plants) Mobile Sources: air pollution from moving sources (cars) Photochemical Smog: a mixture of primary and secondary pollutants formed under the influence of UV radiation from the sun Industrial Smog: unhealthy mix of sulfur dioxide, suspended droplets of sulfuric acid, and a variety of suspended solid particles Carbon Oxides: results from decomposition, ocean release, respiration, motor vehicle exhaust, burning of forests and grasslands, smokestacks of fossil fuel-burning power plants, tobacco smoke, open fires, inefficient stoves; causes atmospheric warming and projected climate change; causes heat exhaustion in humans, reduction of food supplies in some areas, water shortages, prolonged drought, and excessive flooding Nitrogen Oxides/Nitric Acids: results from lightening, certain bacteria in the soul and water, high combustion temperatures in automobile engines and coal burning power and industrial plants; causes photochemical smog and suppression of plant growth; causes irritation of eyes, nose, and throat, aggravate lung ailments, and reduced visibility Sulfur Dioxide/Sulfuric Acid: results from the sulfur cycle, combustion of sulfur-containing coal, oil refining, and smelting of sulfide ores; causes damaged crops, trees, soils, aquatic life in lakes; causes aggravated breathing problems in humans, reduced visibility Particulates: results from dust, wildfires, season, coal What are the sources and health effects of lead and mercury poisoning? How do we get mercury in our systems? - correct answer Sources of Lead Poisoning: leaded gasoline, waste incineration, lead in TV and computer monitors, testing of leaded water, lead paint Health Effects of Lead Poisoning: neurological damage (including disorders such as palsy, partial paralysis, blindness, or retardation) or death Sources of Mercury Poisoning: human bodies, soil, water, animals, air Health Effects of Mercury Poisoning: brain damage in fetuses and young children, harm to the heart, kidneys, or immune system Mercury Absorption: inhalation of vaporized mercury, eat fish with mercury, consummation of high fructose corn syrup What is radon? How is it dangerous and how can we correct the problem? - correct answer Radon is a colorless gas that causes severe lung damage and can lead to lung cancer in humans. Sealing in cracks in your home's foundation, increasing ventilation, and using a fan to create cross ventilation may prevent radon poisoning in your own home. Mining of materials releases radon, so regulations on mining may reduce the amount of radon in the air. Summarize the Clean Air Act. List size criticism that environmentalists make about the Clean Air Act. Summarize the controversy over the stricter particle emission standards in the USA. - correct answer Clean Air Act: enables the 110 most polluting coal-fired power plants in 21 states to buy and sell SO2 pollution rights Criticism: allows utilities with older, dirtier plants to buy their way out of environmental responsibilities and to continue pollution Controversy over stricter standards: economic growth would be hindered and the country would not thrive List four prevention strategies and three cleanup strategies to reduce emissions from stationary sources of air pollution. Define emissions trading policy and tell which are being regulated by this policy. - correct answer Prevention: 1. burn low-sulfur coal 2. remove sulfur from coal 3. convert coal to a liquid or gaseous fuel 4. phase out coal use Cleanup: 1. disperse emissions with tall smokestacks 2. remove pollutants from smokestack gases 3. tax each unit of pollution produced Emissions Trading Policy: policy that regulate the 110 most polluting industries to buy and sell their rights to pollute the air with SO2; each corporation is allotted a certain level of pollution. if they sell it to another corporation, that corporation can pollute more, but the seller has to pollute less How are we depleting the Stratospheric Ozone? What chemicals are responsible for this problem? What are the health effects of ozone depletion? - correct answer Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) deplete the stratospheric ozone and create tropospheric ozone, which is harmful to humans. Depletion of protective ozone results in stronger, more deadly UV rays and warming of the earth. What is tropospheric ozone? What are the heath effects? - correct answer Tropospheric ozone is harmful ozone created by humans that depletes protective stratospheric ozone. Tropospheric ozone allows deadly UV rays to come in and warms the earth. What is the Montreal Protocol of 1987? - correct answer A treaty that was intended to cut emissions of CFCs by 35% between 1989 ad 2000. The Protocol focuses mostly on prevention of the environmental issues by focusing on the few corporations who produced the bulk of the CFCs.