Question

In the following groups of materials, which group(s) contains only non-biodegradable items?

1. Wood, paper, leather
2. Polythene, detergent, PVC
3. Plastic, detergent, grass
4. Plastic, bakelite, DDT

Options

• (iii)

• (iv)

• (i) and (iii)

• (ii) and (iv)

Answer 1

(ii) and (iv)

Explanation - 

Non-biodegradable substances are those man-made materials like plastics, detergent, PVC, Bakelite, DDT, etc. which cannot be broken down by the action of bacteria or other saprophytes. These materials will be acted upon by physical processes like heat and pressure, but under the ambient conditions found in our environment, these persist for a long time and harm the ecosystem.