A water treatment plant produces water that has an arsenic concentration of 0.05 mg/L.
a) if the average consumption of water is 8L of water each day,how much arsenic is each person drinking?
b)If you are the water treatment plant operator
and the chairman of the town council asks
you during a public hearing whether thereis arsenic in the town’s drinking water, how
do you respond?
c. Analyze your answer to part b. from a
moral standpoint. Did you do the right thing
by answering as you did? Why do you
think so?
a. 0.05mg/L * 8L = 0.40 mg.
b. Yes, there are 0.05mg/L.
a) To determine how much arsenic each person is drinking, we multiply the arsenic concentration (0.05 mg/L) by the average consumption of water per day (8 L).
0.05 mg/L * 8 L = 0.4 mg
Therefore, each person is drinking 0.4 mg of arsenic per day.
b) If the chairman of the town council asks whether there is arsenic in the town's drinking water during a public hearing, a responsible and ethical response from the water treatment plant operator would be to provide accurate and honest information. The operator should inform the chairman that the water from the treatment plant does contain arsenic, specifying the concentration level of 0.05 mg/L.
c) From a moral standpoint, answering truthfully and transparently is the right thing to do. Public safety and health are paramount, and withholding information or providing false information would be unethical. By providing accurate information, people have the right to make informed decisions about their water consumption and take any necessary precautions.
a) To calculate how much arsenic each person is drinking, you can multiply the concentration of arsenic by the volume of water consumed per day.
Calculation: Arsenic concentration (0.05 mg/L) × Volume of water consumed per day (8 L) = Amount of arsenic consumed per day
Therefore, each person is drinking 0.4 mg of arsenic each day.
b) As the water treatment plant operator, if the chairman of the town council asks you during a public hearing whether there is arsenic in the town's drinking water, your response should be honest and transparent. You should state that the water treatment plant produces water with an arsenic concentration of 0.05 mg/L.
c) From a moral standpoint, answering honestly and transparently in this situation can be considered the right thing to do. It is important to prioritize the health and well-being of the public. By disclosing the presence of arsenic honestly, people can make informed decisions about their water consumption and take any necessary precautions (e.g., using filtration systems, seeking alternative water sources) to mitigate potential health risks associated with arsenic consumption.
It is crucial to prioritize the overall public health and well-being over personal interests or potential negative consequences. Being transparent and providing accurate information allows individuals to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions to protect themselves and their families.