UPSC CSE Prelims
Chemical Contaminants Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Practice solved questions for Chemical Contaminants with detailed step-by-step solutions, key insights, and trend analysis for UPSC CSE PRELIMS.
Solved Previous Year Questions
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Consider the following pairs: Commonly used/consumed materials and Unwanted or controversial chemicals likely to be found in them
- Lipstick: Lead
- Soft drinks: Brominated vegetable oils
- Chinese fast food: Monosodium glutamate
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — 1, 2 and 3
✅ Pair 1 – Correct: Lipstick formulations have been found to contain lead, a heavy metal that poses potential health risks. Studies have detected trace amounts of lead in various lipstick brands, making this a valid concern.
✅ Pair 2 – Correct: Brominated vegetable oils (BVO) are used in some soft drinks as emulsifiers to keep citrus flavoring evenly distributed. BVO has been banned in several countries due to health concerns and potential toxicity.
✅ Pair 3 – Correct: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer commonly used in Chinese fast food and various Asian cuisines. While controversial, MSG is used to enhance savory taste, though its safety remains debated.
All three pairs are correctly matched.
There is some concern regarding the nanoparticles of some chemical elements that are used by the industry in the manufacture of various products. Why?
- They can accumulate in the environment, and contaminate water and soil.
- They can enter food chains.
- They can trigger the production of free radicals.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Nanoparticles are extremely small (1-100 nm) and resistant to degradation, allowing them to persist and accumulate in soil and water bodies, contaminating the environment.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Due to their microscopic size, nanoparticles can be absorbed by plants and microorganisms, entering the food chain and undergoing biomagnification at higher trophic levels.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Certain nanoparticles can induce oxidative stress in cells by triggering the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals, which damage DNA, proteins, and cell membranes, potentially causing inflammation and cancer.
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Air Pollution
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