UPSC Prelims 2023 · Question 89 of 97

UPSC Prelims 2023 question on Mercury Pollution

Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution:

1. Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world.

2. Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution.

3. There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury.

How many of the above statements are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None
Show answer

Answer: C. All three

Verdict

All three statements are correct → Option (c) All three.

Statement by statement

Statement 1 – CORRECT: Artisanal gold mining currently contributes more than 35 percent of all global mercury emissions created by people.

Statement 2 – CORRECT: Mercury is emitted in the combustion process of coal and other fossil fuels. Coal has much higher mercury concentrations than other fossil fuels, which explains why coal-fired power plants often emit larger quantities of mercury pollution than do power plants that burn other fossil fuels.

Statement 3 – CORRECT: Mercury is a highly toxic element; there is no known safe level of exposure. Ideally, neither children nor adults should have any mercury in their bodies because it provides no physiological benefit.

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