Which is a biological environmental hazard?

• A. COVID-19
• B. Arsenic
• C. Mercury
• D. Pesticides

Answer: (A)

Biological hazards are exposures to living organisms or their byproducts that can cause disease. COVID-19 fits this, because it is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, an infectious agent that can be transmitted through the environment via respiratory droplets and aerosols. In environmental health, pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and fungi are classic biological hazards because they lead to infections when people come into contact with them.

In contrast, the other items are chemical hazards. Arsenic and mercury are toxic metals that pose health risks through chemical exposure in air, water, or food. Pesticides, while they may be derived from living organisms in some cases, are typically chemical substances designed to kill pests, so they are classified as chemical hazards rather than biological ones.