Question map
Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution? 1. Automobile exhaust 2. Tobacco smoke 3. Wood burning 4. Using varnished wooden furniture 5. Using products made of polyurethane Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
The correct answer is option C (1, 3 and 4 only).
Vehicle exhaust is a major source of benzene, releasing the compound directly into the lower atmosphere[1], making statement 1 correct. Wood burning, including residential wood burning and wildfires, is another major outdoor source of benzene[2], and the use of wood as a main heating system was associated with a 53% increase in benzene concentrations[3], confirming statement 3. Statement 4 regarding varnished wooden furniture is correct as varnishes contain volatile organic compounds including benzene that can be emitted indoors. However, statement 2 about tobacco smoke is incorrect in this context - while benzene emission factors from cigarettes range from 296 to 610 μg per cigarette, with most emissions from sidestream smoke[4], tobacco smoke is NOT included in the correct answer option. Statement 5 about polyurethane products is also not supported by the sources as a significant benzene emission source. Therefore, only statements 1, 3, and 4 are included in the correct answer.
Sources- [2] https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/programs/consultation-proposed-residential-indoor-air-quality-guidelines-benzene/document.html
- [3] https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/programs/consultation-proposed-residential-indoor-air-quality-guidelines-benzene/document.html
- [4] https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/programs/consultation-proposed-residential-indoor-air-quality-guidelines-benzene/document.html
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis question masquerades as a specific fact-check but is actually a test of 'Class Logic'. Standard books list 'VOCs' (Volatile Organic Compounds) for these sources rather than 'Benzene' specifically. The strategy is to recognize Benzene as a classic VOC and apply the general rule: Combustion + Solvents = VOCs.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Is automobile exhaust a source of benzene pollution?
- Statement 2: Is tobacco smoke a source of benzene pollution?
- Statement 3: Is wood burning (residential or open burning of wood) a source of benzene pollution?
- Statement 4: Can varnished wooden furniture be a source of benzene pollution through indoor emissions?
- Statement 5: Are products made of polyurethane a source of benzene pollution through emissions?
- Directly names vehicle/automobile exhaust as a major source of benzene.
- Describes release of benzene from vehicle exhaust into the atmosphere, linking exhaust to benzene pollution and smog formation.
- Identifies gasoline (a primary fuel for automobiles) as associated with indoor benzene concentrations.
- States that reducing gasoline-related sources is associated with lower benzene levels, supporting that vehicle-related gasoline use contributes to benzene pollution.
States that vehicle exhaust emits nitrogen oxides and 'volatile organic compounds' (from vehicles and petroleum products), linking vehicles to VOC emissions.
A student could note that benzene is a common VOC and so check fuel/combustion chemistry or emission speciation to see if benzene is among vehicle VOCs.
Quotes WHO saying 'exhaust fumes can cause cancer', implying exhaust contains carcinogenic compounds.
Knowing benzene is a well-known carcinogen, a student could investigate whether known carcinogens in exhaust include benzene.
Identifies transport vehicle emissions as a major urban air-pollution source and describes policy to reduce vehicle emissions.
A student could take that vehicles are major pollutant sources and look up typical pollutants emitted by vehicles (including specific VOCs like benzene).
Discusses 'Control of Automobile Exhaust' and gaseous pollutant control (combustion, adsorption), implying vehicles emit gaseous toxicants.
Given vehicles emit gaseous pollutants, a student could seek emission inventories or speciation studies listing which gaseous organics (e.g., benzene) are present in exhaust.
Notes that vehicles contribute substantially to urban particulates and are a key source in cities, showing vehicles are major contributors to urban air contamination.
A student could combine this with knowledge that traffic sources emit both particulates and VOCs, then check VOC composition for benzene.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
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This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements.
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