CIH Occupational Health Hazards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of non-ionizing radiation is most associated with occupational skin and eye damage from welding operations?
- Infrared radiation
- Ultraviolet radiation (Correct answer)
- Microwave radiation
- Radio frequency radiation
Correct answer: Ultraviolet radiation
Ultraviolet radiation from welding arcs causes photokeratitis (arc eye) and skin burns, making it the primary non-ionizing radiation hazard in welding.
Question 2: A worker is exposed to a combination of benzene (TLV-TWA 0.5 ppm, measured at 0.3 ppm) and toluene (TLV-TWA 50 ppm, measured at 30 ppm). What is the mixture hazard index?
- 0.6
- 1.2 (Correct answer)
- 0.96
- 1.5
Correct answer: 1.2
The mixture hazard index = (0.3/0.5) + (30/50) = 0.6 + 0.6 = 1.2, which exceeds 1.0, indicating an overexposure condition.
Question 3: Silicosis is most directly caused by inhalation of which form of silica?
- Amorphous silica (diatomaceous earth)
- Crystalline silica (quartz or cristobalite) (Correct answer)
- Silicon carbide fibers
- Calcium silicate dust
Correct answer: Crystalline silica (quartz or cristobalite)
Crystalline silica, particularly quartz and cristobalite, causes silicosis by triggering fibrotic lung disease upon inhalation.
Question 4: Which OSHA standard specifically establishes permissible exposure limits (PELs) for air contaminants in general industry?
- 29 CFR 1910.134
- 29 CFR 1910.1000 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1926.55
- 29 CFR 1910.1025
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.1000
29 CFR 1910.1000 (Table Z-1, Z-2, Z-3) establishes air contaminant PELs for general industry workplaces.
Question 5: Which occupational disease is specifically linked to long-term exposure to vinyl chloride monomer?
- Mesothelioma
- Hepatic angiosarcoma (Correct answer)
- Byssinosis
- Berylliosis
Correct answer: Hepatic angiosarcoma
Vinyl chloride exposure is associated with hepatic angiosarcoma, a rare liver cancer, as well as acro-osteolysis and Raynaud's phenomenon.
Question 6: What is the primary route of occupational exposure to lead that contributes most to systemic toxicity in industrial settings?
- Dermal absorption through intact skin
- Inhalation of lead fume and dust (Correct answer)
- Ingestion of lead-contaminated food
- Ocular absorption
Correct answer: Inhalation of lead fume and dust
Inhalation of lead fume and fine dust particles is the primary industrial exposure route, with high pulmonary absorption leading to systemic toxicity.
Question 7: Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is classified under which category of occupational health hazard?
- Chemical hazard
- Biological hazard
- Physical hazard (Correct answer)
- Ergonomic hazard
Correct answer: Physical hazard
HAVS is caused by mechanical vibration energy transmitted to the hand and arm, classifying it as a physical hazard.
CIH Occupational Health Hazards 2
Which type of non-ionizing radiation is most associated with occupational skin and eye damage from welding operations?