Re: The Environmental Protection Agency frequently puts mandatory controls
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28 Oct 2023, 10:08
The Environmental Protection Agency frequently puts mandatory controls on toxic substances that present as little risk as one in a million chances to cause cancer.
Option Elimination -
First, for clarity - "one chance in a million" is better than "one in a million chances." How?
Let's look at "one chance in a million" first. "one" - indicates the number or quantity. It signifies that there is only one instance or possibility. "Chance" refers to the probability of something happening. "In a million" is a phrase that signifies the context or magnitude of the probability. It emphasizes that the event is sporadic/infrequent/highly rare.
Now let's look at "one in a million chances" - When you read "one in a million," you already get a sense that this is something rare. So, adding "chances" now is a bit redundant.
Moreover, as Daagh already very beautifully pointed out, "the substances" don't possess any intention, so "to cause" and "for causing" are inferior.
(A) as little risk as one in a million chances to cause - "one chance in a million" is better than "one in a million chances." Moreover, "of causing" is better.
(B) as little risk as one chance in a million of causing - ok.
(C) as little risk as one chance in a million that it will cause - "it" has no antecedent. "toxic substances" is plural. "will cause" is inferior in this case to "of causing."
(D) a risk as little as one chance in a million for causing - "a" before risk means as if there are many risks. Not the intended meaning, which is "the substances have a low level of risk," and not multiple risks. "for causing" here is inferior to "of causing."
(E) a risk as little as one chance in a million for it to cause - the same issue of "a." No antecedent of "it." "to cause" here is inferior to "of causing."