Airborne Contaminants and Chemical Health Effects: 11-CS-2 Engineering Communications, December 2016, Q3

Question 3 of 7: Airborne Contaminants and Chemical Health Effects

Nivaar worked solution (AI-drafted; not reviewed by a licensed engineer)

Notes on this paper

National Exams — December 2016 — 11-CS-2 Engineering in Society: Health and Safety. Closed book; approved calculator permitted. Any five of the seven questions constitute a complete paper; all questions are of equal value. Answers are written in point form but fully, as instructed. Complete answers to all seven questions follow.

Question 3: Airborne Contaminants and Chemical Health Effects (20 marks: 7/7/6)

Question text not reproduced: the examination questions are © Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Open the official past paper (linked at the top of this page) to read the question, then follow the worked solution below.

(i) Types of Airborne Contaminants

Dusts (grinding), fumes (condensed vaporized metals, welding), mists (droplets), smoke, gases, vapours, fibres (asbestos).

(ii) Health Effects of Chemicals

Irritants, corrosives, asphyxiants (simple/chemical), sensitizers, systemic toxins (organ damage), carcinogens/mutagens/teratogens. Acute or chronic, local or systemic, dependent on toxicity, dose and route.

(iii) Main Routes of Entry

Inhalation (most common/rapid), skin/eye absorption or contact, ingestion (via hands/food), injection. Controls target the route (ventilation/respirators, gloves/clothing, hygiene).