BIOLOGY IN HUMAN WELFARE
HUMAN HEALTH AND DISEASE
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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Persistence
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Pestilence
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Solubility
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Toxicity
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Detailed explanation-1: -Chemicals that are resistant to degradation in the environment are called persistent. High persistence (degradation half-lives of six months or more) has important implications for the behavior of chemicals in the environment.
Detailed explanation-2: -Abstract. Persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals are a class of chemicals that resist degradation and persist in the environment for extensive periods. As a result of their persistence, when these chemicals are consumed, they bioaccumulate in the fat tissues, bones, and brain of organisms.
Detailed explanation-3: -Metals, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, are always persistent, since they are basic elements and cannot be further broken down and destroyed in the environment. Although this discussion will focus on synthetic organic chemicals the potential health effects of exposure to metals should not be overlooked.
Detailed explanation-4: -Persistant Organic Pollutants (POPs) This group of priority pollutants consists of pesticides (such as DDT), industrial chemicals (such as polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs) and unintentional by-products of industrial processes (such as dioxins and furans).