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

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.
Fecal contamination is a major source of water pollution in India due to the widespread discharge of untreated sewage into water bodies.
Coliforms themselves may not be harmful, but their presence suggests that other dangerous waterborne pathogens (like those causing cholera, typhoid, and dysentery) may also be present.
WHO guidelines emphasize testing for coliforms (specifically E. coli) to assess the microbiological safety of drinking water.

Option A: Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) refers to fine, inhalable solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air. It is a key indicator of air pollution, not water pollution.
Option B: Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) is a toxic gas primarily produced from the burning of fossil fuels (like coal and oil) in power plants and other industrial facilities. It is a major air pollutant and a primary cause of acid rain.
Option C: Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels, with major sources being vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions. It is a dangerous air pollutant.

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 major pollutants and the distinction between water and air pollutants, specifically in the context of environmental health in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
As a community health nurse, understanding the sources and indicators of water pollution is crucial for preventing waterborne diseases, which are a major public health problem in India.
Nurses play a key role in educating communities about safe drinking water practices, such as boiling, filtration, and chlorination, especially when the water source is known to be contaminated.
Recognizing the signs of waterborne illnesses (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, fever) allows for early intervention and reporting of potential outbreaks to public health authorities.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is 'polluted water'.
Read all the options provided.
Categorize each option as either a known water pollutant or an air pollutant.
Option A (PM2.5), Option B (SO2), and Option 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, leaving the water pollutant as the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The question tests the knowledge of major pollutants and the distinction between water and air pollutants, specifically in the context of environmental health in India.
Stem keywords: polluted water, major constituent, India
Lead-in keywords: Which of the following

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart B (pp 233-449 of 464) pp. 37-39, 38-40, 54-56