Bhopal Disaster Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary cause of the Bhopal disaster?

Outdated equipment and inadequate safety procedures (correct)

A terrorist attack

Natural disaster

Overpopulation in Bhopal

What was the immediate health impact of the Bhopal gas leak?

Enhanced agricultural productivity

Increased birth rates

Respiratory problems and eye irritation (correct)

Improved overall community health

What long-term health risk did men exposed in utero during the Bhopal disaster face?

Increased risk of diabetes

Lower rates of hypertension

27-fold higher risk of cancer (correct)

Higher cholesterol levels

What was the compensation amount offered to victims of the Bhopal disaster?

A few hundred dollars Signup and view all the answers

What is the main effect of acute exposure to MIC?

It is extremely toxic and can lead to high mortality. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following contributed to the decrease in male births after the Bhopal disaster?

Stressors affecting male fetuses Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common application of pyrethroids?

Aerial spraying to reduce vector-borne diseases. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of pests can lead to pesticide resistance?

Genetic makeup that allows survival after pesticide application. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following compounds is NOT a pyrethroid?

Carbyl Signup and view all the answers

How do pyrethroids affect the nervous system of insects?

By interrupting the action on sodium channels. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major consequence of extensive nitrate fertilizer use in agriculture?

Change in hemoglobin function Signup and view all the answers

What is one significant drawback of using chemicals in agriculture?

Killing of beneficial species Signup and view all the answers

What key concern is associated with genetically modified crops?

Potential allergic reactions Signup and view all the answers

How much of the U.S. water consumption was accounted for by irrigation of crops in 2015?

42% Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable mechanical hazard faced by agricultural workers?

Fatal injuries from equipment transport Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential human health effect linked with residual contamination in food due to agricultural chemicals?

Allergies Signup and view all the answers

What does the development of resistance in agricultural pests often lead to?

Need for stronger chemicals or alternative methods Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of modern U.S. agriculture today?

Heavy reliance on chemicals Signup and view all the answers

What happens when pests develop resistance to a pesticide?

The pesticide becomes ineffective. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of the use of pesticides on non-target species?

Resurgence of the target pest. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following health effects is most clearly linked to pesticide exposure?

Reproductive issues like spontaneous abortion. Signup and view all the answers

How does the burden of pesticide exposure impact different populations?

Farmworkers and their families face higher exposure risks. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major challenge when implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in agriculture?

Difficulty in integrating IPM with traditional farming. Signup and view all the answers

What factor complicates the study of chronic effects of pesticide exposure?

High variability in protective gear use. Signup and view all the answers

What role do secondary pests play when a target pest is eliminated?

They may thrive and increase in population. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the management goals of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

To suppress pests rather than eradicate them. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of pesticide is specifically designed to combat rodents?

Rodenticide Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes selective herbicides from nonselective herbicides?

Selective herbicides target either broad-leaved plants or grasses but not both Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes DDT?

It was developed as an organochlorine pesticide around 1940. Signup and view all the answers

Which sector accounted for the majority of herbicide sales in 2012?

Agricultural sector Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of insecticides?

To protect crops intended as food from insect consumption Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was one of the first synthetic selective herbicides?

2,4-D Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of organochlorine pesticides contributes to their persistence in the environment?

Lipophilicity and ability to biomagnify Signup and view all the answers

Which herbicide is most widely used in U.S. agriculture?

Atrazine Signup and view all the answers

What was DDT initially credited with accomplishing during World War II?

Protecting troops against disease Signup and view all the answers

What significant impact did Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring have?

Highlighted DDT's toxicity to wildlife Signup and view all the answers

What notable effect did DDT have on birds of prey?

Softened their eggshells Signup and view all the answers

In what year was DDT banned in the United States?

1972 Signup and view all the answers

Why is DDT still used in certain less-developed countries despite its ban?

High malaria rates with lack of alternatives Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of organophosphates?

Developed initially as nerve gases Signup and view all the answers

How do organophosphates interfere with the nervous system?

By preventing neurotransmitter breakdown Signup and view all the answers

Which pesticide was banned for consumer purchase in California in 2020?

Chlorpyrifos Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of carbamate pesticides?

They dissipate quickly due to rapid breakdown Signup and view all the answers

What does the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants allow?

Limited use of DDT for malaria control Signup and view all the answers

What was the estimated range of immediate deaths caused by the Bhopal gas leak?

3,000 to 5,000 Signup and view all the answers

What is the main problem humans face due to pests in agricultural settings?

Pests compete for resources, including nutrients Signup and view all the answers

Which factor was NOT a contributor to the Bhopal disaster?

Strict safety management Signup and view all the answers

What long-term condition did men exposed in utero during the Bhopal disaster face?

Higher risk of cancer Signup and view all the answers

Which event highlighted the need for effective pest control measures in the 19th century?

The Irish potato famine caused by a fungus Signup and view all the answers

How did the Bhopal disaster impact male birth proportions?

Decline in male births Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes traditional chemical agents used for pest control from modern alternatives?

Traditional agents often contain highly toxic inorganic compounds Signup and view all the answers

What defines a pesticide according to its intended use?

Any substance intended to prevent, destroy, or repel pests Signup and view all the answers

How much did men exposed to the Bhopal disaster experience in terms of education loss compared to others?

2 years less education Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was an early chemical agent used specifically for pest control in agriculture?

Copper sulfate Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when a pesticide is no longer effective due to pest resistance?

Increased development of new pesticides Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a commonly noted chronic effect of pesticide exposure?

Muscle weakness Signup and view all the answers

Which group is particularly burdened by pesticide exposure?

Pesticide production workers Signup and view all the answers

What is a key strategy of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

To encourage biodiversity and beneficial insects Signup and view all the answers

What is particularly challenging when studying the chronic effects of pesticide exposure?

Variation in pesticide formulations Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of wiping out a target pest?

Outbreak of secondary pests Signup and view all the answers

What challenge do farmworkers often face regarding pesticide communication?

Hazard warnings may be in English, leading to language barriers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following health issues is linked to pesticide exposure?

Parkinson's disease Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant human health concern linked to the extensive use of nitrate fertilizers in agriculture?

Development of methemoglobinemia Signup and view all the answers

Which drawback is associated with the heavy reliance on chemical usage in U.S. agriculture?

Development of resistance in pests Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential risk of genetically modified crops related to antibiotic resistance?

They can introduce antibiotic-resistant genes into the ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

Which area experienced the highest concern regarding water consumption exceeding renewable water supplies?

Central Plains and Southwest Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of killing beneficial species through pesticide use?

Exacerbation of pest problems over time Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of U.S. water consumption was accounted for by the irrigation of crops in 2015?

42% Signup and view all the answers

What is one aspect of mechanical hazards that agricultural workers face?

Fatal injuries from equipment accidents Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a common characteristic of modern U.S. agriculture?

Use of few crop varieties in monoculture Signup and view all the answers

Which type of herbicide selectively targets either broad-leaved plants or grasses?

Selective herbicide Signup and view all the answers

What major ingredient in Agent Orange was also one of the first synthetic selective herbicides?

2,4-D Signup and view all the answers

Where were insecticides predominantly used according to their main purpose?

To control disease vectors like mosquitoes Signup and view all the answers

What is the main environmental concern regarding organochlorine pesticides?

Accumulation in fatty tissue and biomagnification Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the use of Roundup Ready soybeans?

They are genetically engineered to resist nonselective herbicides. Signup and view all the answers

What was the second major type of pesticide sold in 2012?

Insecticides Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic feature of nonselective herbicides?

They kill all types of plants indiscriminately. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the significant achievements credited to DDT during World War II?

Protecting troops against disease Signup and view all the answers

What major environmental issue did Rachel Carson highlight in her book Silent Spring?

Toxicity of DDT to wildlife Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the public outcry regarding DDT's effect on bird populations?

The banning of DDT in the United States Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the tradeoff involving DDT use in public health versus environmental conservation?

Infectious disease control sometimes conflicts with environmental protection Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism through which organophosphates affect the nervous system?

Interfering with neurotransmitter breakdown Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes carbamates from organophosphates in terms of toxicity to humans?

Carbamates have low short-term toxicity to humans Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organophosphates was banned for consumer purchase in California in 2020?

Chlorpyrifos Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants?

To control and eliminate persistent organic pollutants Signup and view all the answers

How do organophosphates typically affect agricultural workers?

They are often linked to fatal poisonings Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nature of the Pest Problem

Pests are organisms, animal or plant, that interfere with human well-being or interests.
Pests act as vectors of disease.
Pests cause discomfort.
Pests compete for resources.
Pests eat crops.
Weeds steal nutrients from crops.

Impetus for Pest Control Tools

The Irish potato famine of 1848 was caused by a fungus.
Destruction of the French wine industry occurred due to insects and mildew.
Coffee supplies were depleted by a fungus.
The approximate number of people who died in the Irish famine was 800,000.

Coffee Leaf Rust Discovered on All Major Islands of Hawaii

The highly contagious, crop-killing coffee leaf rust disease (CLR) has been discovered on all major Hawaiian islands.
The rust-causing pathogen was discovered on the islands of Kauai, Molokai among others.
Lab testing suggests that coffee leaf rust may have been present on Kauai for at least six months.
A Kauai coffee farmer alerted the agency to the potential problem.
Samples from Molokai were from feral coffee plants and likely affected for at least three months.
Strict quarantine measures for agricultural products were put in place beginning in October 2021 despite the spread.

Early Chemical Agents for Pest Control

Highly toxic inorganic compounds were used for pest control.
Copper sulfate and lime were mixed to create Bordeaux mixture.
Copper with arsenic was used as Paris Green.
Lead arsenate contained arsenic as its active ingredient.
Kerosene and oil suffocated insect larvae.
Toxicity of heavy metals and other compounds led to research into alternatives.

Pesticides

Pesticides are any substance or mixture of substances used to prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate any types of pest.
Herbicides control plants, weeds, and grasses.
Insecticides control insects and arachnids.
Fungicides control fungal growth.
Rodenticides control rodents.
Nematicides control nematodes or roundworms.

Pesticide Sales

Herbicides were the most sold pesticide in 2012, accounting for approximately 60% of sales and over $5 billion in expenditures in the agricultural sector.
Insecticides ranked second in sales, despite more sales in the home/garden sector compared to the agricultural sector.
Fungicides were the third-largest-selling pesticide category.

Herbicides

Herbicides control weeds, plants, and grasses.
Selective herbicides kill either broad-leaved plants or grasses but not both.
2,4-D was the first synthetic selective herbicide, used in Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
Atrazine is the most commonly used selective herbicide in US agriculture.
Nonselective herbicides kill all types of plants and were used for clearing plant life, or are applied to individual weeds.
Roundup is a nonselective herbicide used on lawns, targeting individual weeds.
Roundup Ready soybeans were developed by Monsanto Corporation.

Insecticides

Insecticides control vectors of human or animal diseases.
Insecticides are primarily used against mosquitoes, flies, fleas, and ticks.
Insecticides are used to prevent pests from consuming crops.
Insecticides poison pests when they ingest or come in contact with the insecticide.
Organochlorine pesticides, such as chlordane, aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, and DDT, are nerve toxins that affect the central nervous system of pests, cause convulsions, and death.
Organochlorines have low acute toxicity to humans and have persistent effects on the environment; they concentrate in fatty tissues and biomagnify in the food chain.

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)

DDT is an organochlorine pesticide/insecticide.
It was created around 1940.
Dr. Paul Müller won the 1948 Nobel Prize for his work with DDT.
DDT was extensively used by the US military in World War II.
It was initially viewed as a beneficial chemical, due to its helpfulness in communities with malaria and its effectiveness in protecting against pests.
DDT is persistent; it lasts long.
DDT is now widely banned due to its environmental impacts.

Organophosphates

Organophosphates are the second generation of synthetic organic insecticides.
They were initially developed as nerve gases.
Organophosphates are used in a variety of products, such as baits, sprays, foggers, flea collars, and granules.
Like organochlorines, they disrupt the central nervous system.
They disrupt an enzyme, stopping it from working.

Organophosphates (Continued)

Organophosphates frequently cause fatal poisonings, particularly among agricultural workers.
Organophosphates are less persistent in the environment compared to organochlorines.
Examples include parathion, malathion, Dursban, Diazinon (banned in 2005), and chlorpyrifos (banned for consumer purchase in CA in 2020).

Carbamates

Carbamates are closely related to organophosphates.
They have low short-term toxicity to humans.
They break down into other substances quickly.
Methyl isocyanate (MIC) is an intermediate chemical used in the manufacture of carbamate pesticides.
MIC is extremely toxic, as seen in the 1984 Bhopal, India disaster, where an accident resulted in estimated 3,000-5,000 deaths immediately, and ~15,000 more over time.
Carbamates are used to control garden pests, and are found in tick and flea products for pets.
Examples include Carbyl (Sevin), Aldicarb, Fenoxycarb, Propoxur, Metam sodium.

Pyrethroids

Pyrethrum is extracted from chrysanthemums.
Pyrethroids are synthetic versions of pyrethrum.
Pyrethroids impair the nervous system.
They paralyze and kill flying insects.
They interfere with the transmission of nerve impulses.
Pyrethroids are often used in community-level spraying to control vector-borne diseases, such as West Nile Virus.
Pyrethroids are also used in agriculture, mosquito repellents, insecticide bombs, pet treatments, and lice treatments.
Examples include permethrin, allethrin, resmethrin, and cyfluthrin.

Limitations of Pesticides

Pesticide resistance is similar to bacterial resistance, with some pests developing a genetic tolerance to pesticides.
Due to shorter life spans, pests evolve resistance quickly, leading to decreased effectiveness.
Pesticides can kill other species aside from the target pest.
This may lead to the resurgence of the target pest or to the development of secondary pest outbreaks.

Human Health Effects of Pesticides

Studying the chronic effects of pesticides is difficult.
Pesticide intake is hard to accurately estimate.
The mix of chemicals and varying practices by workers make accurate assessment hard.
Epidemiologists use farming as a surrogate for pesticide exposure to study effects.
Pesticides are closely linked to neurological effects, such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, and muscle weakness.
Pesticide exposure has also been linked to Parkinson's disease, memory issues, and attention problems, as well as various cancers.
Concerns also include reproductive and development outcomes such as spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and premature births, reduced semen quality, and oral clefts.

Disparities in Exposures and Impacts

Pesticide exposure disproportionately affects certain populations, especially pesticide production workers, farmers and their families, and hired farmworkers.
In the US, hired farmworkers are mostly men with a significant number of Hispanic and foreign-born individuals who have issues with language barriers and inadequate protections from hazardous pesticide chemicals.
In lower-income countries, more hazardous pesticides may still be used.
Female agricultural workers without proper training of protection are at higher risk.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

IPM uses multiple tactics to suppress pests.
It involves setting thresholds based on monitoring, triggering action.
IPM encourages beneficial insects, synthetic pheromones, and adjustments to irrigation or crop rotation practices.

Benefits of Modern Chemical Pesticides

Increase crop yields.
Fewer rodent problems.
Decrease major diseases (i.e. malaria)

Significant Drawbacks to Pesticides

Development of pesticide resistance by pests.
Killing of beneficial species.
Persistent environmental contamination.
Concerns about residual pesticide contamination in food.
Risks to human health (e.g. allergies, cancers, Parkinson's Disease)

Key Features of U.S. Agriculture Today

Few varieties of crops are mostly grown in monoculture.
Heavy reliance on chemicals and machinery.
Subsidized by fossil fuels, with pesticides and fertilizers derived from petroleum.
Heavy reliance on machinery.

Nitrogen Contamination

Extensive use of nitrate fertilizers leads to nitrites in groundwater.
Ingesting nitrites changes hemoglobin's ability to carry oxygen.
This can result in blue baby syndrome.

Genetically Modified Crops

GM crops aim to increase global food supply by enhancing disease, pest resistance, and faster ripening.
Gene isolation is followed by transgene transfer into a different species' DNA.
Key concerns are allergic reactions and the potential spread of antibiotic resistance.

Use of Water for Irrigation

Irrigation accounts for 42% of U.S. water consumption based on data from 2015.
Substantial water is lost via evaporation.
Key areas of concern include the Lower Colorado River, Rio Grande region, Central Plains, and the Southwest, where the consumption of water exceeds renewable supplies and water exploitation is prominent.

Mechanical Hazards to Workers

Approximately 250 fatal injuries occur annually in the U.S agricultural workforce primarily from transport or equipment-related hazards.
Nonfatal injuries (e.g., being struck by equipment, hand/foot injuries caused by human error) are also prevalent due to haste or similar factors.

Bhopal, India: Explosion of Pesticide Plant

A significant pesticide plant explosion occurred in Bhopal, India in December 1984, releasing around 45 tons of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas.
The gas spread to densely populated areas and resulted in significant immediate and long-term health impacts.
Thousands died immediately, and hundreds of thousands suffered long-term illnesses, including respiratory problems, eyesight issues, and others.
Outdated equipment, inadequate management, and safety procedures were contributing factors to the disaster.
Compensation was limited.

Intergenerational Impact of Bhopal Accident

Within three years of the disaster, a decrease in male births was observed, as well as men in the womb at that time showing more disabilities that affected their employment in the following decades.
Long-term effects, observed more than 30 years later, showed a significant increase in cancer rates and a reduction in education levels for men exposed to the disaster.

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Test your knowledge on the Bhopal disaster, one of the world's worst industrial accidents. This quiz covers its primary causes, immediate health impacts, and long-term health risks associated with exposure. Dive into the important facts and implications of this tragic event.