Read the following passage and answer the five questions that follow:
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), air pollution is now comparable to other global health risks like unhealthy diets and smoking tobacco. It is recognised "as the single biggest environmental threat to human health". WHO guidelines, which are not legally binding and intended as a reference for policymakers, advocacy groups and academics, stipulate permissible concentrations
of six pollutants known to have impacts on health: two types of particulate matter known as PM2.5 and PM10, as well as Ozone, Nitrogen dioxide, Sulphur dioxide and Carbon monoxide. The guidelines could also send a message to the wider public about lifestyle and business choices - whether it is driving cars and trucks, disposing of garbage, working in industrial jobs or farming. WHO says the main human generated sources of air pollution can vary geographically but include the energy and transportation sectors, as well as waste dumpsites and home cooking and heating. It advised people to do their part by changing their lifestyles - not running car engines uselessly; avoiding use of plastics that could end up being incinerated; and walking, riding bikes or using public transportation to get to
work.
It should be noted that "because of air pollution, the simple act of breathing contributes to 7 million
deaths a year. Almost everyone around the world is exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution". The harmful health effects of air pollution kick in at lower levels than previously thought, the World Health Organisation has said as it has set a new standard for policymakers and the public in the first update of its air quality guidelines in 15 years. Since the last update of the WHO recommendations, better monitoring and science have cleared up the global picture about the effects of six major air pollutants on human health. According to the agency, 90% of the world's people already live in areas with at least one particularly harmful type of pollutant.
1. Why are the WHO guidelines on air pollution not binding on member states?
(A) Not all countries are WHO members.
(B) Air pollution is still not a serious problem.
(C) Guidelines do not have legal sanctity
(D) The guidelines lack scientific validation.
2. The measure adopted by the WHO to limit the air pollution is:
(A) Present a global picture of air pollution
(B) Take a serious view of air pollution
(C) Initiation of innovative practices
(D) Setting a new standard of air quality in its updated guidelines
3. The WHO advice to the public is:
(A) Identify the sources of air pollution
(B) Change lifestyles
(C) Stay indoor as much as possible
(D) Incinerate plastic waste
4. The major inference to be drawn from the passage is:
(A) Do not ignore the harmful health effects of air pollution.
(B) People should change their business practices.
(C) Policy makers can mitigate air pollution by their initiatives.
(D) The WHO has updated its air quality guidelines often.
5. What is the WHO reference for policy makers?
(A) Reduce the ozone level
(B) Promote advocacy groups
(C) Threshold concentration of identified pollutants
(D) Focus on all types of health risks
Answers:
1. C
2. D
3. B
4. A
5. C
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