EPS 80 MIDTERM 3 EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% PASS
What are examples of primary air pollutants? - ANS SO2 from volcanoes
Particulates and smoke from wildfires
What is the primary source of carbon monoxide air pollution? - ANS On-road Vehicles
Yes, ~56% from this
What is the primary source of SO2 emission - ANS Fuel combustion
What are short term health effects of SO2 in the air? - ANS Feeling Sick
Irritation of nose, lungs and throat
Headaches
Dizziness
Shortness of breath
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,What size range of particles does PM2.5 refer to? - ANS <2.5 micrometers (um)
Why are PM2.5 particles more dangerous than larger particles? - ANS They penetrate further
into our lungs and bloodstream
What pollutants does the EPA use in its Air Quality Index (AQI) - ANS Highest value of index
for Ground-level Ozone,
Particulate pollution, CO, SO2
Do electric cars get rid of PM2.5 pollution issues? - ANS Not as much as we would expect
Explanation --> Sadly, brake and tire wear and road wear contribute more PM2.5 pollution than
fuel combustion in cars.
How can you protect yourself from air pollution when the AQI index is high? - ANS Use an air
purifier indoors
Move strenous physical activity indoors
Do less intense physical activity
Shorten the amount of time you are outside for
Wear a well-fitting, high filtration efficiency mask when outside (KN95, N95 etc).
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What meteorological factors can make air pollution worse - ANS Bright sunshine --> This can
make air pollution worse, particularly ozone formation
Temperature inversions (warm air ontop of cold)
Who does air pollution disproportionately affect? - ANS Immigrant communities --> Yes, e.g.
Wilmington LA
Agricultural workers exposed to high levels of pesticides
Black communities --> Yes, (e.g. West Oakland Death Zone)
How many Californias live within 2500 feet of an oil or gas well? - ANS ~ 2 million
Why is air pollution bad around the Salton Sea? - ANS Drying of a lake contaminated by farm
pollutants
What appliance uses the most water in a typical household? - ANS Toilets
What properties make a rock good for hosting an aquifer? - ANS High porosity and high
permeability
What is porosity? - ANS The amount of void space in a rock
What rock types have aquifers hosted mostly via secondary porosity? - ANS Granites
Limestones
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
AND ANSWERS 100% PASS
What are examples of primary air pollutants? - ANS SO2 from volcanoes
Particulates and smoke from wildfires
What is the primary source of carbon monoxide air pollution? - ANS On-road Vehicles
Yes, ~56% from this
What is the primary source of SO2 emission - ANS Fuel combustion
What are short term health effects of SO2 in the air? - ANS Feeling Sick
Irritation of nose, lungs and throat
Headaches
Dizziness
Shortness of breath
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,What size range of particles does PM2.5 refer to? - ANS <2.5 micrometers (um)
Why are PM2.5 particles more dangerous than larger particles? - ANS They penetrate further
into our lungs and bloodstream
What pollutants does the EPA use in its Air Quality Index (AQI) - ANS Highest value of index
for Ground-level Ozone,
Particulate pollution, CO, SO2
Do electric cars get rid of PM2.5 pollution issues? - ANS Not as much as we would expect
Explanation --> Sadly, brake and tire wear and road wear contribute more PM2.5 pollution than
fuel combustion in cars.
How can you protect yourself from air pollution when the AQI index is high? - ANS Use an air
purifier indoors
Move strenous physical activity indoors
Do less intense physical activity
Shorten the amount of time you are outside for
Wear a well-fitting, high filtration efficiency mask when outside (KN95, N95 etc).
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What meteorological factors can make air pollution worse - ANS Bright sunshine --> This can
make air pollution worse, particularly ozone formation
Temperature inversions (warm air ontop of cold)
Who does air pollution disproportionately affect? - ANS Immigrant communities --> Yes, e.g.
Wilmington LA
Agricultural workers exposed to high levels of pesticides
Black communities --> Yes, (e.g. West Oakland Death Zone)
How many Californias live within 2500 feet of an oil or gas well? - ANS ~ 2 million
Why is air pollution bad around the Salton Sea? - ANS Drying of a lake contaminated by farm
pollutants
What appliance uses the most water in a typical household? - ANS Toilets
What properties make a rock good for hosting an aquifer? - ANS High porosity and high
permeability
What is porosity? - ANS The amount of void space in a rock
What rock types have aquifers hosted mostly via secondary porosity? - ANS Granites
Limestones
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
