LSAT Explanation PT 36, S3, Q1: Scientists agree that ingesting lead harms

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy in the scientists' beliefs? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Paradox question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This LSAT problem presents an apparent discrepancy within the beliefs of scientists. This is a Paradox question, and our task is to find the answer choice that best helps resolve the apparent contradiction in the scientists' beliefs.

The discrepancy in the passage is that scientists agree that ingesting lead harms young children and that older apartment buildings have more lead paint, but they also believe that laws requiring the removal of lead paint from older apartment buildings will actually increase the amount of lead ingested by children living in those buildings. We need to find a reason why removing lead paint from old apartment buildings would increase the lead that kids are ingesting.

Let's analyze each answer choice:

a) Lead-free paints contain substances that make them as harmful to children as lead paint is.

This choice is irrelevant to the discrepancy, as it discusses lead-free paints but does not address why removing lead paint would increase the amount of lead ingested by children.

b) The money required to finance the removal of lead paint from apartment walls could be spent in ways more likely to improve the health of children.

This choice focuses on the financial aspect, which is not the main concern of the discrepancy. We are looking for an explanation of why removing lead paint would increase lead ingestion, not the cost-effectiveness of the process.

c) Other sources of lead in older apartment buildings are responsible for most of the lead that children living in these buildings ingest.

While this choice acknowledges other sources of lead, it does not explain how removing lead paint would increase the amount of lead ingested by children. The discrepancy remains unresolved.

d) Removing lead paint from walls disperses a great deal of lead dust, which is more easily ingested by children than is paint on walls.

This choice provides a clear explanation for the discrepancy. By stating that the removal process disperses lead dust, which is more easily ingested, it explains how removing lead paint could lead to increased lead ingestion by children. This is the correct answer.

e) Many other environmental hazards pose greater threats to the health of children than does lead paint.

This choice is irrelevant to the discrepancy, as it discusses other environmental hazards but does not address why removing lead paint would increase the amount of lead ingested by children.

In conclusion, the correct answer is choice (d), as it explains how removing lead paint from walls can increase the amount of lead ingested by children living in older apartment buildings. This answer choice resolves the apparent discrepancy in the scientists' beliefs.