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Quiz about The RCRA 8 Metals and Then Some

The RCRA 8 Metals - and Then Some Quiz

Just like the "Ten Most Wanted" criminals, there are eight metals which have been judged to be especially dangerous to us and our environment - The RCRA 8. Team Kaffeeklatsch presents a quiz to help you identify them.

A multiple-choice quiz by shorthumbz. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
shorthumbz

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
386,456

Updated
Apr 28 24

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Easy

Avg Score
9 / 10

Plays
1113

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In the USA, the RCRA specifically identifies eight metals which pose a danger, even in tiny amounts, to the environment. What does RCRA stand for? Hint

Respect, Care, Retain, and Affirm

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

Reclamation, Communication, Retention, and Annexation

Retroactive Chemical Reagent Analysis

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. A beneficial antioxidant in trace amounts, in toxic compounds it can cause a garlic odor of the breath, which indicates the approach of serious complications. What is this element, whose name refers to the moon? Hint

Selenium

Iron

Carbon

Aluminum

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Question 3 of 10

3. Some compounds of this metal are exceptionally toxic. Which metal, often used to decorate high-end vehicles, has even attracted regulation by the World Health Organization? Hint

Chromium

Tungsten

Magnesium

Iron

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Question 4 of 10

4. As the "King of poisons, poison of kings," which famously-poisonous metal can also be found in tobacco smoke? Hint

Calcium

Cyanide

Arsenic

Phosphorous

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Question 5 of 10

5. Once widely used in combination with nickel in rechargeable batteries, which metal lost much of its popularity for this purpose because of its toxicity? Hint

Copper

Cadmium

Manganese

Potassium

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which metal, long prized by jewelry lovers and coin collectors, has no known biological benefit to humans and is primarily toxic in the form of its compounds? Hint

Chlorine

Silver

Strontium

Beryllium

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which metal, which is the only such element that is a liquid at room temperature, is a major by-product of coal-fired power plants? Hint

Hydrogen

Chlorine

Bronze

Mercury

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which metal, long used as part of a compound helpful in obtaining high-quality x-ray imaging, is nevertheless extremely volatile and toxic in many of its forms? Hint

Nickel

Cesium

Barium

Helium

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Question 9 of 10

9. Despite not having been used in the pencils of the same name, which element has caused problems as a contaminant in water supplies? Hint

Sulfur

Copper

Bromine

Lead

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Question 10 of 10

10. The RCRA 8 are all part of a group of elements called heavy metals. However, while any element can be toxic in massive amounts, not all heavy metals are inherently toxic and can be essential to health. Which of these heavy metals is present in the largest concentration in the healthy human body? Hint

Nickel

Zinc

Iron

Vanadium

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In the USA, the RCRA specifically identifies eight metals which pose a danger, even in tiny amounts, to the environment. What does RCRA stand for?

Answer: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

Enacted by the US Congress in 1976, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was passed as a measure to regulate the handling and disposal of solid waste in the United States. The law empowered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)to identify and regulate the presence of particular hazardous substances in waste.

The EPA named eight metallic elements of special concern. Dubbed the RCRA 8 these heavy metal elements are extremely toxic to humans, even in very small amounts.

Answer: Selenium

Mining, agriculture, and semiconductor processing can discharge compounds which bond with naturally-occurring selenium in the soil to form compounds which can be very toxic and can taint ground water and even plants grown in the affected soil. Symptoms of selenium poisoning include gastrointestinal disorders, loss of hair and nails, fatigue, and, in more serious cases, neurological damage, cirrhosis of the liver, pulmonary edema, or even death.

3. Some compounds of this metal are exceptionally toxic. Which metal, often used to decorate high-end vehicles, has even attracted regulation by the World Health Organization?

Answer: Chromium

As with many metals, small amounts of chromium and certain chromium compounds are benign, even beneficial. Chromium and its compounds are used in electroplating, metal alloys (stainless steel), paints, ceramics, lumber processing, tannery, and assorted chemicals. Certain chromium compounds are very toxic, and in the form of chromates can cause allergies, destruction of bone marrow, liver failure, cancers, dementia, and even DNA damage that can be passed down to future generations.

The contamination of water supplies by chromium VI formed the plot of the film "Erin Brockovich", released in 2000.

4. As the "King of poisons, poison of kings," which famously-poisonous metal can also be found in tobacco smoke?

Answer: Arsenic

The toxic properties of arsenic have ironically contributed to its commercial uses as a pesticide and in such applications as lumber processing, battery manufacture, weapons development, and ironically in producing animal feed. Certain arsenic compounds are even used in medicines and in treatments for diseases such as cancer.

However, the effluent from industries which have used arsenic poses a serious threat to groundwater. Arsenic toxicity can lead to various cancers and heart disease.

5. Once widely used in combination with nickel in rechargeable batteries, which metal lost much of its popularity for this purpose because of its toxicity?

Answer: Cadmium

Cadmium was historically used in mining, electroplating, nuclear power generation, and in the production of pigments, photoconductors, and batteries. Because of cadmium's toxicity, it has been replaced in batteries by other compounds. Cadmium is another major component of tobacco smoke. Cadmium exposure is associated with a large number of illnesses including kidney disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.

6. Which metal, long prized by jewelry lovers and coin collectors, has no known biological benefit to humans and is primarily toxic in the form of its compounds?

Answer: Silver

Used primarily in the manufacture of coins, jewelry, dental fillings, flatware, mirrors, musical instruments, and catalytic agents and equipment, silver is also used in cloth processing, medical treatments, photography, and biological laboratories. Exposure to silver salts can cause argyria, a permanent skin discoloration.

7. Which metal, which is the only such element that is a liquid at room temperature, is a major by-product of coal-fired power plants?

Answer: Mercury

Despite its widespread uses, mercury has always been recognized as extremely toxic. It has been used in medical devices, lighting, gold production, smelting, and the manufacture of steel, cement, and caustic soda. Mercury poisoning can damage major organs such as the brain, kidneys, and lungs, resulting in tremors, hallucinations, muscle spasms, and respiratory failure.

8. Which metal, long used as part of a compound helpful in obtaining high-quality x-ray imaging, is nevertheless extremely volatile and toxic in many of its forms?

Answer: Barium

Familiar as the barium sulfate "cocktail" safely administered to patients as part of x-ray studies of the intestine, barium and its compounds have also been used in the manufacture of petroleum, metals, lighting, ceramics, optics, superconductors, ammunition, and even fireworks. Barium is highly toxic. It can cause nervous system and heart malfunctions and damage to the immune system.

9. Despite not having been used in the pencils of the same name, which element has caused problems as a contaminant in water supplies?

Answer: Lead

Lead has been used in the manufacture of ammunition, insulation, ships, glassware, paints, batteries, petrochemicals, and radiation shielding. Its toxic effects have been known since at least the fifteenth century. It can be stored in the bones, and thus its effects can outlive initial exposure. Lead can cause brain and kidney damage, anemia, miscarriage, and neuropathy.

Answer: Iron

The five most prevalent heavy metals in the body are iron, zinc, lead, copper, and tin, in that order. Note that lead, while one of the RCRA 8, is also present in small amounts (less than 2 percent) in the healthy human. However, iron and zinc together account for over ninety percent of the metals in the body.

Source: Author shorthumbz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor rossian before going online.
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