Please read the following information from a pamphlet distributed by a government agency and then answer the questions that follow:

Should Phosphate-Containing Detergents be Permitted for Household Use?

In ordinary household use, phosphate detergents are insignificant as a source of environmental pollution. It is the phosphates used in heavy industry and agriculture that are significant as sources of pollution. Very possibly, the publicity against phosphates for home use is part of industry’s campaign to focus guilt on consumers -- at the same time, diverting attention from their own massive polluting activities.

More importantly, there is no good alternative to phosphates for home use. Phosphate detergents are considerably less expensive and far superior in cleaning ability to those lacking phosphates. Phosphate detergents allow most clothes to be cleaned less often and, thus, the clothes can last longer. Finally, and almost unnoticed in this debate, is the fact that nonphosphate detergents often contain E.D.T.A. as a chemical additive. E.D.T.A. has not yet been studied thoroughly, but is potentially a damaging pollutant. It is wisest to continue to permit phosphates in home detergents until we have something better to replace them.

Should phosphate-containing detergents be permitted for household use?

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9
certainly no / certainly yes
phosphates should / phosphates should
not be permitted / be permitted in
in detergents / detergents

The message that you read came from a pamphlet distributed by a government agency. How trustworthy do you think this source is?

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14
untrustwory / trustworthy


Please read the following information from a pamphlet distributed by a leading soap company and then answer the questions that follow:

Should Phosphate-Containing Detergents be Permitted for Household Use?

In ordinary household use, phosphate detergents are insignificant as a source of environmental pollution. It is the phosphates used in heavy industry and agriculture that are significant as sources of pollution. Very possibly, the publicity against phosphates for home use is part of industry’s campaign to focus guilt on consumers -- at the same time, diverting attention from their own massive polluting activities.

More importantly, there is no good alternative to phosphates for home use. Phosphate detergents are considerably less expensive and far superior in cleaning ability to those lacking phosphates. Phosphate detergents allow most clothes to be cleaned less often and, thus, the clothes can last longer. Finally, and almost unnoticed in this debate, is the fact that nonphosphate detergents often contain E.D.T.A. as a chemical additive. E.D.T.A. has not yet been studied thoroughly, but is potentially a damaging pollutant. It is wisest to continue to permit phosphates in home detergents until we have something better to replace them.

Should phosphate-containing detergents be permitted for household use?

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9
certainly no / certainly yes
phosphates should / phosphates should
not be permitted / be permitted in
in detergents / detergents

The message that you read came from a pamphlet widely distributed by a leading soap company. How trustworthy do you think this source is?

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14
untrustworthy / trustworthy