Direction: Read the passage and answer the question:
The implementation of stricter environmental regulations has led to reduced emissions from industrial facilities. As a result, air quality in the region has improved significantly, leading to fewer cases of respiratory illnesses among residents.
Question:
Which of the following can be logically inferred from the passage?
Stricter environmental regulations are the sole reason for improved air quality.
Improved air quality has no impact on the occurrence of respiratory illnesses.
Industrial facilities were not previously responsible for emissions that affected air quality.
Reducing emissions from industrial facilities can have a positive impact on public health.
The passage mentions that the implementation of stricter environmental regulations has led to reduced emissions from industrial facilities and improved air quality, which in turn has led to fewer cases of respiratory illnesses among residents. This implies that reducing emissions from industrial facilities can have a positive impact on public health, which can be logically inferred from the information provided.
Option A is not a valid inference because the passage does not suggest that stricter environmental regulations are the sole reason for improved air quality.
Option B is not a valid inference because the passage clearly indicates that improved air quality has led to fewer cases of respiratory illnesses.
Option C is not a valid inference because the passage does not make a comparison regarding the responsibility of industrial facilities for emissions in the past.