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Difficulty: MediumBridging Conflicting Premises

In an effort to reduce respiratory illnesses, the local government of Oakhaven subsidized the installation of advanced air-purification systems in homes. These systems have been scientifically proven to eliminate 99 percent of common indoor allergens, such as dust mites and pet dander. Within a year, the majority of Oakhaven households had installed the systems. Nevertheless, public health records indicate that the total number of severe asthma attacks in Oakhaven actually increased over that same year.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy?

  1. The advanced air-purification systems drastically reduce indoor humidity, creating excessively dry air that severely irritates the respiratory tract and triggers asthma attacks.Answer
  2. B
    The air-purification systems are highly effective at removing indoor allergens but have no effect on outdoor air pollution, which is also a known trigger for asthma.
  3. C
    Residents who suffer from chronic severe asthma were significantly more likely to take advantage of the government subsidy and install the air-purification systems than residents without asthma.
  4. D
    Several neighboring towns that did not offer subsidies for air-purification systems experienced an even greater increase in severe asthma attacks during the same period.
  5. E
    While the total number of severe asthma attacks increased, the percentage of Oakhaven's total healthcare budget spent on treating respiratory illnesses remained exactly the same.

Answer

The advanced air-purification systems drastically reduce indoor humidity, creating excessively dry air that severely irritates the respiratory tract and triggers asthma attacks.
The correct answer resolves the paradox by introducing an unintended negative consequence of the air-purification systems. While the systems successfully perform their stated function of removing allergens, they simultaneously create excessively dry air. This dry air acts as a new, independent trigger for asthma attacks. This perfectly bridges the gap, explaining how the systems can be working exactly as intended regarding allergen removal while still ultimately causing an increase in the overall number of asthma attacks.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the first premise
The air-purification systems eliminate 99 percent of indoor allergens and were installed in a majority of homes.
Understanding the expected positive outcome (fewer asthma attacks).
2
Identify the second premise (the conflict)
The total number of severe asthma attacks in the city actually increased over the same year.
Pinpointing the exact nature of the surprising outcome.
3
Evaluate options for a bridging mechanism
Locate an option that allows both premises to be true by introducing a new factor caused by the systems that triggers asthma independently of allergens.
A valid resolution must explain the increase in attacks without denying the reduction in allergens.

Key Concept

Bridging Conflicting Premises
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Bridging Conflicting Premises

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