Industrial Hazards – Chemical MCQs With Answer

Industrial Hazards – Chemical MCQs With Answer is designed for M.Pharm students preparing for MIP 202T – Scale Up & Technology Transfer. This collection focuses on chemical hazards that affect pharmaceutical manufacturing, including exposure routes, toxicological metrics, storage and segregation, flammability, reactivity, environmental impact, and control strategies. Each question emphasizes practical knowledge applicable to scale-up, technology transfer and safe plant operations — from interpretation of occupational exposure limits and MSDS/GHS information to engineering controls, emergency response and process safety concepts such as runaway reactions and BLEVE. Use these MCQs to test and deepen your understanding of workplace chemical safety and regulatory expectations in pharmaceutical production.

Q1. Which route of exposure is usually the most significant for volatile organic solvents in a pharmaceutical manufacturing area?

• Dermal absorption through skin contact
• Ingestion via contaminated food or hands
• Inhalation of vapours and aerosols
• Ocular exposure from splashes

Correct Answer: Inhalation of vapours and aerosols

Q2. What does TLV (Threshold Limit Value) primarily represent?

• The concentration at which 50% of exposed workers show symptoms
• The maximum concentration allowed in consumer products
• A recommended airborne concentration for nearly all workers daily without adverse effects
• The exposure level causing immediate life-threatening effects

Correct Answer: A recommended airborne concentration for nearly all workers daily without adverse effects

Q3. Which term denotes the concentration range in air between the minimum and maximum vapor concentration capable of propagating flame?

• LEL/UEL (Lower/Upper Explosive Limits)
• IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health)
• TLV-TWA (Time-Weighted Average)
• LC50 (Lethal Concentration 50%)

Correct Answer: LEL/UEL (Lower/Upper Explosive Limits)

Q4. In scale-up, which hazard is most associated with exothermic reactions conducted at larger scale?

• Increased solvent purity
• Runaway reaction due to inadequate heat removal
• Lower product yield due to mixing improvement
• Reduced vapor pressure

Correct Answer: Runaway reaction due to inadequate heat removal

Q5. Which of the following best describes IDLH?

• An exposure limit used for chronic toxicity assessment
• The concentration immediately fatal to any exposed individual
• A concentration posing a threat of escape-impairing or life-threatening effects in a short time
• The maximum safe concentration for a full shift without PPE

Correct Answer: A concentration posing a threat of escape-impairing or life-threatening effects in a short time

Q6. Which control is considered most effective in the hierarchy of controls for reducing airborne chemical exposure?

• Use of disposable respirators
• Substitution of a less hazardous chemical
• Local exhaust ventilation at the source
• Worker training on safe handling

Correct Answer: Local exhaust ventilation at the source

Q7. Which GHS pictogram indicates a chemical that can cause serious health effects such as carcinogenicity or respiratory sensitization?

• Flame
• Health hazard (silhouette with starburst)
• Exclamation mark
• Environment (dead tree and fish)

Correct Answer: Health hazard (silhouette with starburst)

Q8. What is the primary safety concern with storing incompatible chemicals together (e.g., acids and cyanides)?

• Increased packaging costs
• Catalyzed degradation of packaging materials only
• Potential for hazardous chemical reactions producing toxic gases or fire
• Reduced inventory turnover

Correct Answer: Potential for hazardous chemical reactions producing toxic gases or fire

Q9. Which fire property is defined as the lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off sufficient vapour to form an ignitable mixture with air near its surface?

• Autoignition temperature
• Flash point
• Boiling point
• Vapour pressure

Correct Answer: Flash point

Q10. For chemical spills involving flammable solvents, which immediate action is most critical to reduce ignition risk?

• Dilute the spill with water
• Isolate and remove ignition sources and ventilate the area
• Evacuate personnel but leave ventilation off to avoid spreading vapours
• Apply powdered absorbent without PPE

Correct Answer: Isolate and remove ignition sources and ventilate the area

Q11. Which monitoring approach provides a time-weighted assessment of worker exposure over a shift?

• Real-time direct-reading instantaneous monitor
• Biological monitoring of a single urine sample immediately after exposure
• Personal air sampling with pump and analysis to determine TWA
• Area sample taken at a single time point in the production hall

Correct Answer: Personal air sampling with pump and analysis to determine TWA

Q12. Which of the following best characterizes a BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion)?

• Slow oxidation of solids at ambient temperature
• Rapid vapor expansion and vessel rupture when a pressurised liquid overheats and the shell fails
• Localized corrosion without pressure consequence
• Spontaneous ignition of dust layers

Correct Answer: Rapid vapor expansion and vessel rupture when a pressurised liquid overheats and the shell fails

Q13. Which document is legally essential for communicating hazards and safe handling procedures for chemicals used in the plant?

• Certificate of Analysis (CoA)
• Material Safety Data Sheet / Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
• Purchase order
• Batch manufacturing record

Correct Answer: Material Safety Data Sheet / Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

Q14. During technology transfer, which risk assessment method is commonly used to identify process hazards and operability issues?

• Particle size distribution analysis
• HAZOP (Hazard and Operability Study)
• Stability indicating assay validation
• Cost–benefit analysis

Correct Answer: HAZOP (Hazard and Operability Study)

Q15. Which statement is true about dust explosions in pharmaceutical powder handling?

• They require only oxygen and will occur at any dust concentration
• They require a combustible dust, dispersion in air, oxygen, confinement and an ignition source
• They are prevented solely by lowering humidity
• Only metal dusts pose explosion risk

Correct Answer: They require a combustible dust, dispersion in air, oxygen, confinement and an ignition source

Q16. Which PPE is most appropriate for protection against inhalation of toxic vapours when local exhaust ventilation is inadequate?

• Disposable nitrile gloves
• Air-purifying respirator with appropriate organic vapour cartridges
• Face shield without respiratory protection
• Cotton lab coat

Correct Answer: Air-purifying respirator with appropriate organic vapour cartridges

Q17. Which metric represents a concentration that causes adverse effects in 50% of a test population via inhalation?

• NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level)
• LC50 (Lethal Concentration 50%)
• TLV-C (Ceiling Limit)
• STEL (Short-Term Exposure Limit)

Correct Answer: LC50 (Lethal Concentration 50%)

Q18. What is the best practice for handling a suspected runaway exothermic reaction during scale-up in a reactor?

• Increase reagent feed to dilute the reaction heat
• Attempt manual stirring without protective measures
• Initiate emergency quench or cooling procedures and safely depressurise if necessary
• Close all relief valves to maintain containment

Correct Answer: Initiate emergency quench or cooling procedures and safely depressurise if necessary

Q19. Which factor most influences the selection of an appropriate fire extinguisher for a solvent fire in a lab?

• The fire department response time
• The fire classification and solvent’s ability to conduct electricity
• The colour of the chemical packaging
• The operator’s body weight

Correct Answer: The fire classification and solvent’s ability to conduct electricity

Q20. Which regulatory program focuses specifically on managing hazardous chemicals to prevent catastrophic releases at industrial facilities?

• Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
• OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM)
• PAT (Process Analytical Technology)
• ICH Q7

Correct Answer: OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM)

Download