In a certain rural area, people normally dispose of

[BTGmoderatorDC]

In a certain rural area, people normally dispose of household garbage by burning it. Burning household garbage releases toxic chemicals known as dioxins. New conservation regulations will require a major reduction in packaging-specifically, paper and cardboard packaging-for products sold in the area. Since such packaging materials contain dioxins, one result of the implementation of the new regulations will surely be a reduction in dioxin pollution in the area.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

A. Garbage containing large quantities of paper and cardboard can easily burn hot enough for some portion of the dioxins that it contains to be destroyed.
B. Packaging materials typically make up only a small proportion of the weight of household garbage, but a relatively large proportion of its volume.
C. Per-capita sales of products sold in paper and cardboard packaging are lower in rural areas than in urban areas.
D. The new conservation regulations were motivated by a need to cut down on the consumption of paper products in order to bring the harvesting of timber into a healthier balance with its regrowth.
E. It is not known whether the dioxins released by the burning of household garbage have been the cause of any serious health problems.


OA A

Source: Official Guide

[deloitte247]

Premise: In a certain rural area, people normally dispose of household garbage by burning it, and this burning releases toxic chemicals known as dioxins.

Conclusion: New regulations will require a major reduction in packaging-specifically, paper, and cardboard packaging- for products sold in the area because such packaging materials contain dioxins.

Option A - Correct
Burning of garbage containing large quantities of paper and cardboard will not destroy the dioxins contained in the garbage but will lead to the releasing of more quantities of toxic dioxin to the environment.

Option B - Incorrect
Our aim is to discredit the reason for the conservation regulation leading to the major reduction of packaging-specifically, paper, and cardboard packaging- for products sold in the area. So, this option has nothing to do about this.

Option C - Incorrect
This is also irrelevant to the argument.

Option D - Incorrect
Well, the new conservation regulations were motivated by a need to cut down on the consumption of paper and cardboard packed-products to reduce dioxin pollution in the area, and not to bring the harvesting of timber into a healthier balance with its regrowth.

Option E - Incorrect
Of course, there is no report of any serious health problems caused by the dioxins released by the burning of household garbage, but this is not enough reason to oppose the argument.