Acme Ai
A
अ
GS Paper IUPSC Prelims 2022
Pollution & Environmental Laws
Question No. 66Interactive Test Mode
00:00
+2-0.66

Q66. In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements: 1. The 24-hour mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 15 ug/m3 and annual mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 ug/m3. 2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during the period of inclement weather. 3. PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream. 4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma. Which of the statements given above are correct?

In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements:

  1. The 24-hour mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 15 ug/m3 and annual mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 ug/m3.
  2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during the period of inclement weather.
  3. PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.
  4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Select the correct option below (or cross out options to eliminate)
PrevNext Question

Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution

3D PYQ Realm

Ready to check the official UPSC Answer Key?

Click any option above to test yourself under exam conditions, or reveal the explanation directly.

Official UPSC Answer KeyUPSC Prelims 2022 • Environment and Ecology

Correct Answer: Option (B) — 1 and 4 only

Concept & Option Breakdown

Standard Reference Verified
  • Statement 1 is correct: Under the revised 2021 WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines, the recommended 24-hour mean guideline for $PM_{2.5}$ is $15\ \mu g/m^3$ and the annual mean is $5\ \mu g/m^3$.
  • Statement 2 is incorrect: Ground-level ozone is formed photochemically in the presence of intense solar radiation and high temperatures; hence peak ozone concentrations occur during hot, sunny weather, not during inclement (cloudy/rainy) weather.
  • Statement 3 is incorrect: Coarser particulate matter ($PM_{10}$) deposits primarily in the upper respiratory tract and bronchi. It is fine particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$ and smaller) that reaches the alveoli, crosses the blood-air barrier, and enters the bloodstream.
  • Statement 4 is correct: Ground-level ozone is a potent respiratory irritant that causes airway inflammation and triggers asthma attacks.
Reviewed by Avinash Sir & Acme AI Research Team

Practice Full-Length & Sectional Prelims Mocks on this Interface

50 simulated tests in the APT Prelims Test Series (₹1,493) or 1-on-1 Mentorship with Avinash Sir.

1-on-1 MentorshipOpen Test Platform

Question Specifications & Syllabus Mapping

Examination & YearUPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2022 (Q66)
Paper & Marking SchemeGS Paper I • 2 Marks (-0.66 Negative for incorrect response)
Syllabus Subject & TopicEnvironment and Ecology → Pollution & Environmental Laws
Official Answer KeyOption (B) — 1 and 4 only

Related & Repeated Prelims PYQs (1)

Questions from other UPSC Prelims years testing the same or closely linked concept.

View Cluster in 3D Graph
2022 • Q6781% Match

Consider the following: 1. Carbon monoxide 2. Nitrogen oxide 3. Ozone 4. Sulphur dioxide Excess of which of the above in the environment is/are the cause(s) o

Environment and Ecology • Pollution & Environmental LawsSolve

More PYQs from Environment and Ecology (Pollution & Environmental Laws)

Master the Environment and Ecology syllabus cluster by practicing these related previous year questions.

View All Environment and Ecology PYQs
2024 • Q61Pollution & Environmental Laws

With reference to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are used in making many consumer products, consider the following statemen

Environment and EcologyPractice
2024 • Q62Pollution & Environmental Laws

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Many chewing gums found in the market are a source of environmental pollution. Statement-II: Many che

Environment and EcologyPractice
2023 • Q63Pollution & Environmental Laws

Consider the following: 1. Aerosols 2. Foam agents 3. Fire retardants 4. Lubricants In the making of how many of the above are hydrofluorocarbons us

Environment and EcologyPractice
2023 • Q64Pollution & Environmental Laws

Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution: (a) Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world. (b) Coal-based

Environment and EcologyPractice
2023 • Q65Pollution & Environmental Laws

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: According to the United Nations’ World Water Development Report, 2022’, India extracts more than a qu

Environment and EcologyPractice
2019 • Q53Pollution & Environmental Laws

In India, the use of carbofuran, methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos is viewed with apprehension. These chemicals are used as

Environment and EcologyPractice
2018 • Q54Pollution & Environmental Laws

Which of the following statements best describes “carbon fertilization”?

Environment and EcologyPractice
2024 • Q24Biodiversity & Conservation

The organisms “Cicada, Froghopper, and Pond skater” are:

Environment and EcologyPractice

Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Prelims 2022 Q66

What is the official answer for UPSC Prelims 2022 GS Paper I Question 66 (Environment and Ecology)?

The official UPSC answer key for this 2022 Environment and Ecology (Pollution & Environmental Laws) question is Option (B): "1 and 4 only". Correct attempts carry 2 Marks with -0.66 Negative penalty for wrong answers.

Which UPSC Prelims syllabus topic does this 2022 question belong to?

This question belongs to GS Paper I under the subject "Environment and Ecology" and micro-topic "Pollution & Environmental Laws". You can explore all repeated questions from Pollution & Environmental Laws in Acme AI's 3D Prelims PYQ Realm or practice 50 full-length and sectional tests in the APT Prelims Test Series.

How can I solve this Pollution & Environmental Laws UPSC Prelims question using option elimination?

To solve Pollution & Environmental Laws questions in UPSC Prelims, identify extreme modifiers, verify core NCERT conceptual definitions, and eliminate mutually contradictory statement pairs before locking your final option.

Beyond Previous Year Questions

Structured Prelims Practice & Mentorship

Pair previous year question analysis with full-length simulated mock tests and 1-on-1 faculty guidance.

APT 2027 • 50 Prelims Tests17% OFF

Acme Prelims Test Series (APT)

Built to eliminate 1/3rd negative marking losses and 50–50 option traps through structured simulation and NCERT-backed keys.

  • 50 High-Yield Tests: Subject Sectionals, Current Affairs, CSAT Paper II & Full-Length Simulators
  • 1/3rd Penalty & Trap Analytics: Identify whether marks are lost to over-attempting or conceptual gaps
  • Option-by-Option NCERT Keys: Detailed distractor analysis and elimination logic for every question
  • Custom PDF-to-Mock Generator: Convert your revision notes or current affairs PDFs into practice tests
Complete 50-Test Package
₹1,493₹1,799• Valid till Prelims 2027
Explore APT Test SeriesTry Free Mock
1-on-1 Personal MentorshipCapped at 10 Seats

1-on-1 UPSC Mentorship with Avinash Sir

Weekly 1-on-1 strategy reviews, daily study accountability, and personalized MCQ attempt audits with an experienced UPSC mentor.

  • Weekly 1-on-1 Sessions: Direct mentorship with Avinash Sir (Former Plutus IAS Mentor, UPSC & UPPCS Mains Written)
  • APT 50-Test Series Included: Full Prelims GS1 & CSAT test series bundled at no additional cost
  • Mock Attempt & Elimination Audit: Question-by-question review to calibrate your risk and attempt accuracy
  • Prelims & Integrated Tracks: Available as dedicated Prelims mentorship or end-to-end Prelims + Mains guidance
Prelims & Integrated Tracks
17% OFF• Includes APT 50-Test Series
Explore 1-on-1 MentorshipCompare Tracks
Previous QuestionWith reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs: | Historical person | Known as | |---|---| | 1. Aryadeva | Jaina scholar | | 2. Dignaga | Buddhist scholar | | 3. Nathamuni | Vaishnavite scholar | How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
Next QuestionWhich one of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is mentioned?