AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Pollution and Human Health
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 11 cards to help you master important concepts.
Identify the source of pollution that leads to dysentery.
The source of pollution that leads to dysentery is untreated sewage in streams and rivers.
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Identify the source of pollution that leads to dysentery.
The source of pollution that leads to dysentery is untreated sewage in streams and rivers.
How does tropospheric ozone impact human health?
Elevated levels of tropospheric ozone can negatively impact respiratory systems and overall lung function.
A construction worker who spent years demolishing old buildings without proper protection is diagnosed with a rare cancer. What is the likely pollutant responsible?
The likely pollutant is asbestos, which is the main cause of a type of cancer called mesothelioma.
What is Dysentery?
Dysentery is an illness caused by untreated sewage that contaminates streams and rivers.
Why is it difficult to establish a direct link between a specific pollutant and a human health issue?
It is difficult because humans experience exposure to a wide variety of chemicals and pollutants, making it hard to isolate a single cause for a health problem.
During a summer smog event, a city's health clinics see a rise in patients with breathing difficulties. What pollutant is a likely cause of these respiratory problems?
Elevated levels of tropospheric ozone are a likely cause, as this pollutant is known to impact respiratory problems and lung function.
What systems of the human body are primarily affected by tropospheric ozone?
The respiratory system and overall lung function are primarily impacted by elevated levels of tropospheric ozone.
If a community's drinking water is sourced from a river contaminated by untreated sewage, what specific disease are they at high risk for?
The community is at a high risk for dysentery.
Identify the pollutant that is the main cause of mesothelioma.
Asbestos is the pollutant that is the main cause of mesothelioma.
List three specific health issues and their associated pollutants based on the text.
The three health issues are dysentery (untreated sewage), mesothelioma (asbestos), and respiratory problems (tropospheric ozone).
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a specific type of cancer that is mainly caused by exposure to asbestos.