The optimal air quality is determined where the marginal social cost of improving air quality is equal to the marginal social benefit from cleaner air.

Question

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This statement is based on the economic principle of "marginal analysis" which suggests that the optimal level of a particular output (in this case, air quality) is achieved when the marginal cost of producing an additional unit is equal to the marginal benefit from consuming that unit. In the context of air quality, this means that the optimal level of pollution abatement should be achieved when the marginal social cost of reducing pollution (i.e. the cost to society of implementing pollution control measures) is equal to the marginal social benefit of cleaner air (i.e. the value society places on cleaner air).

The Optimal Air Quality Is Determined Where the Marginal Social