Can zinc really prevent a cold? Take the quiz!

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American builders and architects are imitating the 1800s-era, Western European practice of using zinc sheeting for rooftops and walls. Take this quiz to find out why the New York skyline may soon share the same gray sheen as Paris!

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Question 2 of 11

Where do we find naturally occurring zinc?

from the Earth's crust
from plants
from the sea bed

... Zinc is found in the Earth's crust and is obtained through underground mining.

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Question 3 of 11

Why is zinc sheeting mixed with copper and titanium?

It is too expensive to use alone.
The mix increases its malleability and strength.
Unless zinc is mixed with other elements, it becomes toxic when exposed to air.

... Zinc sheeting is mixed with copper and titanium to increase its malleability and tensile strength -- the weight it can support.

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Question 4 of 11

How common an element is zinc?

24th most common
27th most common
37th most common

... Zinc is the 27th most common naturally occurring element and is used in batteries, galvanized steel and brass.

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Question 5 of 11

Approximately how long can a zinc rooftop last?

more than 25 years
more than 50 years
more than 100 years

... A zinc rooftop can last more than a century, while a rooftop made from asphalt shingles lasts for about 25 years.

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Question 6 of 11

What is zinc hydroxyl-carbonate?

a protective layer that zinc naturally forms
a pesticide made from zinc
the scientific name for zinc-based sun cream

... One of the reasons zinc sheeting has such a long life is because it forms a protective layer called zinc hydroxyl-carbonate when it is exposed to the elements.

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Question 7 of 11

What does the human body use zinc for?

digestion, respiration and vision
vision, digestion and fertility
vision, fertility and cell production

... The human body uses zinc for cell production, vision and fertility. Zinc supplements can also boost the immune system.

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Question 8 of 11

How recyclable is zinc?

nearly 20 percent
nearly 50 percent
nearly 100 percent

... Zinc is nearly 100 percent recyclable and requires less than 20 percent of the original energy input for recycling.

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Question 9 of 11

What is a downside of using zinc in building construction?

Its brown color is unattractive.
It is expensive.
It weighs a lot and so is difficult to use.

... Zinc sheeting costs much more than regular bricks and cement. The upside is that it is more economical in the long run, because it does not need to be replaced.

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Question 10 of 11

If zinc is mined from the ground, just as copper and aluminum are, why is it more eco-friendly?

Smaller amounts go a longer way, so less needs to be mined.
Mining zinc uses less energy than mining copper and aluminum.
Zinc is found closer to the Earth's surface, so miners do not need to dig so deep.

... Zinc mining needs a quarter of the energy required for aluminum mining and half the energy required for copper mining.

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Question 11 of 11

How many tons of asphalt shingles end up in landfills yearly?

10 million tons (nine million metric tons)
20 million tons (18 million metric tons)
50 million tons (45 million metric tons)

... Every year, more than 10 million tons (nine million metric tons) of asphalt shingles end up in landfills. These shingles do not break down, but leech toxic chemicals into the soil.

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