Occupational and Environmental Health: Recognizing and Preventing Disease and Injury - Multiple Choice Questions - Learn & Prevent

In what environments do episodes of dramatic outdoor air pollution often occur?

1. In deserted rural areas

2. In densely populated urban areas

3. In high altitude mountain regions

4. On isolated islands

The correct answer is: In densely populated urban areas

Dramatic outdoor air pollution episodes can occur in any place, but typically are more likely to occur in areas with a high concentration of factories, traffic, and people, such as densely populated urban areas. While air pollution can also occur in the other environments listed, it is not as commonly seen in those areas due to lower levels of human activity and industrialization. For example, in deserted rural areas, there may be less air pollution due to a lack of factories and traffic. In high altitude mountain regions, the air may be cleaner due to the thin atmosphere and lower levels of human activity. On isolated islands, air pollution may be less common due to the lack of factories and industrialization, as well as their isolated location. Thus, while air pollution can occur in all of these environments, it is most likely to occur in densely populated urban areas due to the higher levels of human activity and