Non-Stick Cookware Issue

Expert replies

Dean Jones: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 239; Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 8:40 amFollowed by: 2 members; Location: India; Thanked: 5 times; GMAT Score:690

by Dean Jones » Sun Oct 30, 2011 12:54 pm

Hi friends,

I am having problems in solving the following problem.
Please help.

Consumer advocates argue that the coating found on non-stick cookware contains harmful chemicals that are released into the air when the cookware is heated above a certain temperature. The manufacturer of the cookware acknowledges this hazard but assures consumers that the temperature threshold is much higher than would ever be needed for food preparation and therefore no special precautions need be taken in using the cookware. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most serious doubt on the claims of the manufacturer?

"¢ The chemicals released by the coating can linger in the air for days
"¢ Empty cookware left on the flame often reaches exceptionally high temperatures.
"¢ Several consumers have already claimed illness as a result of using the cookware.
"¢ The manufacturer did not test the cookware for this phenomenon until consumer advocates brought the issue to its attention.
"¢ There are effective non-stick coatings that do not release toxins when heated.

OA after some discussions.

Source: Beat The GMAT — Critical Reasoning | Sun Oct 30, 2011 12:54 pm

yasha_gmat: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 12; Joined: Sat Jul 24, 2010 11:10 am; Location: Bangalore, India; Thanked: 1 times

by yasha_gmat » Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:26 pm

"¢ The chemicals released by the coating can linger in the air for days
Does not refute the manufacturers claim. The manufacturer agrees that chemical is released in air. How long it lingers is not something the argument talks about.
"¢ Empty cookware left on the flame often reaches exceptionally high temperatures.
CORRECT. This statement calls into question the following statement made by the manufacturer "temperature threshold is much higher than would ever be needed for food preparation"
"¢ Several consumers have already claimed illness as a result of using the cookware.
This could be because of anything. Not necessarily due to the chemical in question.
"¢ The manufacturer did not test the cookware for this phenomenon until consumer advocates brought the issue to its attention.
Not related to the argument in question
"¢ There are effective non-stick coatings that do not release toxins when heated.
Not related to the argument in question

mir.yahya: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 37; Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2011 11:24 amFollowed by: 5 members; Thanked: 1 times

by mir.yahya » Mon Oct 31, 2011 6:43 am

IMO = Option B

Explanation:
Manufacturer claims that temperature threshold is much higher than would be ever needed and only option B refutes it the closest among the options.

sandipsharma1: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 4; Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:43 am

by sandipsharma1 » Wed Nov 02, 2011 7:14 am

What is OA?

IMO C.

The issue with B is that although it says "exceptionally high temperatures", it fails to mention if the high temperature is greater than the threshold temperature. We have to assume that this is the case, which i believe is to much to assume.

Whereas, C clearly cites some instances of consumers already claiming illness as a result of using the cookware. Some would argue that the illness could be because of some other reason, but then we cannot question the facts stated in premises and answer choices.

Pls comment..

mankey: Legendary Member; Posts: 627; Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:12 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 4 times

by mankey » Wed Nov 02, 2011 7:57 am

The debate has to involve temperature in this since that will decide if the non-stick will release toxic substance or not.

It is clearly B. Please provide OA.

Thanks.

gunjan1208: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 416; Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:48 amFollowed by: 6 members; Thanked: 28 times

by gunjan1208 » Thu Nov 03, 2011 10:46 pm

Its B as it attacks the right place.

sam2304: Legendary Member; Posts: 1239; Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:25 amFollowed by: 26 members; Thanked: 233 times; GMAT Score:680

by sam2304 » Fri Nov 04, 2011 12:04 am

IMO B.

B directly attacks the conclusion.

Getting defeated is just a temporary notion, giving it up is what makes it permanent.
https://gmatandbeyond.blogspot.in/

thestartupguy: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 150; Joined: Thu May 05, 2011 10:04 amFollowed by: 4 members; Thanked: 5 times

by thestartupguy » Fri Nov 04, 2011 10:43 am

Even I feel the answer is B. The option C is close

neelgandham: Community Manager; Posts: 1060; Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 6:46 amFollowed by: 52 members; Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands; Thanked: 318 times

by neelgandham » Fri Nov 04, 2011 12:04 pm

temperature threshold is much higher than would ever be needed for food preparation and therefore no special precautions need be taken in using the cookware. is the claim

and B is the definitive answer !
"¢ Empty cookware left on the flame often reaches exceptionally high temperatures.

Anil Gandham
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