Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

What exemplifies an environmental standard?

1. Controlling pollution

2. Waste minimization

3. Land use planning

4. Maximum contaminant level allowed

The correct answer is: Maximum contaminant level allowed

The concept of an environmental standard typically refers to specific regulatory limits or thresholds that are set to protect human health and the environment. Among the options provided, maximum contaminant levels allowed are regulatory standards that define the highest permissible concentration of specific contaminants in water, air, or other environmental media. This regulatory measure is crucial for ensuring that public health is not compromised by exposure to harmful substances, making it a clear example of an environmental standard. Other options like controlling pollution, waste minimization, and land use planning involve practices and strategies that contribute to environmental protection but do not specify regulatory limits or standards. They are important actions in managing environmental issues but do not serve as formal standards like maximum contaminant levels do. Thus, maximum contaminant level allowed is the most appropriate choice as it represents a concrete standard that governs environmental quality.