Which of the following is a major constituent in polluted water in India?& x20; - NORCET 9 Mains - 2025

NORCET 9 Mains - 2025

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: NORCET 9 Mains - 2025

Explanation

The presence of coliform bacteria is the primary indicator of fecal contamination in water, which is a major pollution issue.
Coliforms themselves are not always harmful, but their presence indicates that disease-causing organisms (pathogens) from feces may also be in the water system.
Sources of fecal contamination include sewage, septic systems, and animal waste, which are significant contributors to water pollution in India.
The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines use coliforms as the primary bacterial indicator to assess the microbiological safety of drinking water.

Option A: Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) consists of fine solid or liquid particles suspended in the air. It is a primary measure of air quality, not water quality.
Option B: Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂) is a gas produced by burning fossil fuels. It is a major air pollutant that contributes to acid rain and respiratory problems.
Option C: Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas resulting from incomplete combustion, mainly from vehicle exhaust. It is a criteria air pollutant.

Visual 1: Infographic: Sources of Water Pollution in India, showing sewage, industrial effluent, and agricultural runoff as major contributors.
Visual 2: Diagram: The Coliform Test. A simple visual explaining how water samples are tested for the presence of E. coli and other coliforms, indicating fecal contamination.
Visual 3: Chart: Common Waterborne Diseases. A chart listing diseases like Cholera, Typhoid, Giardiasis, and Hepatitis A, and linking them to contaminated water.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The question tests the knowledge of different types of environmental pollutants and their primary medium, specifically differentiating between major water pollutants and air pollutants in the context of India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in public health by educating communities about the importance of safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) to prevent waterborne diseases.
Understanding that coliforms indicate fecal contamination helps nurses recognize the risk of diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery in patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms from areas with poor water quality.
In a clinical setting, a patient's history of exposure to potentially contaminated water is a critical piece of information for diagnosis and treatment.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is 'polluted water in India'.
Next, analyze the options provided. Categorize each option based on whether it is primarily an air, water, or soil pollutant.
Option A (PM2.5), B (SO₂), and C (CO) are all well-known air pollutants.
Option D (Coliform Bacteria) is a classic indicator of biological contamination in water.
Based on this categorization, eliminate the air pollutants as they do not fit the context of 'water' pollution.
Conclude that the presence of coliform bacteria is the most relevant and major constituent of polluted water among the choices.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The question tests the knowledge of different types of environmental pollutants and their primary medium, specifically differentiating between major water pollutants and air pollutants in the context of India.
Stem keywords: polluted water, major constituent, India
Lead-in keywords: Which of the following

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