Question

A. Ammonium salts produce haze in atmosphere 
B. Ozone gets produced when atmospheric oxygen reacts with chlorine radicals
C. Polychlorinated biphenyls act as cleansing solvents 
D. 'Blue baby' syndrome occurs due to the presence of excess of sulphate ions in water 
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. B and C only
• B. A and C only
• C. A and D only
• D. A, B and C only

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

To determine the correct answer, let's evaluate each statement given in the question: 

1. Statement A: Ammonium salts produce haze in the atmosphere.
   • Ammonium salts, like ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate, are known to contribute to atmospheric haze. These salts can act as nuclei for water vapor condensation, leading to the formation of aerosols and therefore haze. Thus, this statement is true.
2. Statement B: Ozone gets produced when atmospheric oxygen reacts with chlorine radicals.
   • In reality, chlorine radicals are more associated with the destruction of ozone rather than its formation, especially in the context of stratospheric ozone. Ozone is primarily produced by the photolytic dissociation of molecular oxygen (O₂) followed by the reaction of the resulting oxygen atoms with O₂ molecules. Hence, this statement is false.
3. Statement C: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) act as cleansing solvents.
   • PCBs are actually a group of man-made organic chemicals known for their environmental persistence and are not used as cleansing solvents. Instead, they have been used in electrical, heat transfer, and hydraulic equipment. This statement is false, but it needs correction to "PCBs are harmful pollutants" rather than cleansing agents.
4. Statement D: 'Blue baby' syndrome occurs due to the presence of excess of sulphate ions in water.
   • 'Blue baby' syndrome, or methemoglobinemia, is typically caused by high levels of nitrates in drinking water, not sulphates. The nitrates get converted to nitrites, which then oxidize hemoglobin to methemoglobin, impairing oxygen transport in infants. Thus, this statement is false.

Given this evaluation, the statements that are correct are A and C only. Therefore, the correct answer is:

A and C only