UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2023

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

Answer

Correct Answer

Only two

Explanation

Gold mining (statement 1) and coal-based thermal power plants (statement 2) are both known sources of mercury pollution. While mercury is highly toxic at low levels, the strict claim of 'no known safe level' as an established scientific consensus is not accurate in the way stated, making statement 3 incorrect for this question.

Topics: coal power and gold mining, environment, environmental pollution, mercury pollution