Question

When cut, the synthetic material fiberglass, like asbestos, releases microscopic fibers into the air. It is known that people who inhale asbestos fibers suffer impairment of lung functions. A study of 300 factory workers who regularly cut fiberglass showed that their lung capacity is, on average, only 90 percent of that of a comparable group of people who do not cut fiberglass. The statements above, if true, most strongly support which of the following hypotheses?

• A. People who work with fiberglass are likely also to work with asbestos.
• B. Fiberglass fibers impair lung function in people who inhale them.
• C. Fiberglass releases as many fibers into the air when cut as does asbestos.
• D. Coarse fibers do not impair lung function in people who inhale them.
• E. If uncut, fiberglass poses no health risk to people who work with it. \textbf

Hint:

Identify the key difference (fiberglass cutting) and analogous effect (lung impairment) to infer causation.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: The passage notes that cutting fiberglass releases microscopic fibers, similar to asbestos, which impairs lung function when inhaled.
Step 2: The study shows workers who cut fiberglass have 90% lung capacity compared to a comparable group without fiberglass cutting, implying a causal link to the fibers.
Step 3: This supports (B) as the hypothesis that fiberglass fibers cause impairment, analogous to asbestos.
Step 4: (A) is possible but not necessary (comparable group controls for other factors). (C)-(E) lack evidence or are extraneous.