Which of the following statements about Synthetic Organic Chemicals (SOCs) are…
2024
Which of the following statements about Synthetic Organic Chemicals (SOCs) are true? (A) They can contaminate drinking water. (B) They can originate from pesticides. (C) Many consumer products, such as plastics, use SOCs. (D) Geological formations may also release SOCs. (E) Insecticides and herbicides can also be sources of SOCs. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer: B. (A), (B), (C) and (E) Only — ConceptSynthetic organic chemicals are carbon-based compounds made through human industrial or agricultural activity. Their environmental sources must…
- A.
(A), (B), (C) and (D) Only
- B.
(A), (B), (C) and (E) Only
- C.
(A), (B), (D) and (E) Only
- D.
(C), (D) and (E) Only
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Concept
Synthetic organic chemicals are carbon-based compounds made through human industrial or agricultural activity. Their environmental sources must therefore be distinguished from substances that occur naturally in rock and soil.
SOCs can enter drinking water through the manufacture, use, storage or disposal of pesticides, solvents, plastics and related consumer products.
Application
Statement (A) is true: SOCs can reach surface water or groundwater and contaminate drinking-water supplies.
Statement (B) is true: pesticides are a recognized source or class of synthetic organic contaminants.
Statement (C) is true: plastics and many other consumer products use synthetic organic compounds in their manufacture.
Statement (D) is false: geological formations release naturally occurring substances, whereas “synthetic” organic chemicals arise from human manufacture or use.
Statement (E) is true: insecticides and herbicides are pesticide categories and can introduce SOCs into water.
Contrast
(A), (B), (C) and (D) includes the geological-source claim and leaves out the pesticide-category claim in (E).
(A), (B), (D) and (E) includes the geological-source claim and leaves out the consumer-product claim in (C).
(C), (D) and (E) includes the geological-source claim and leaves out the contamination and pesticide-source claims in (A) and (B).
Cross-check and result
The common source test confirms that (A), (B), (C) and (E) describe human-made SOC pathways, while (D) conflicts with the meaning of “synthetic”. Therefore, the correct set is (A), (B), (C) and (E) only.