▶ Your Answer :
The reading passage contends that lead poisoning was prevailing
ruling classes in the Roman Empire for the following the several reasons. On
the other hand, the speaker brings up several points that contradict this
argument.
First, the lecturer contends that cosmetics which periodically used by upper class rarely affected lead poisoning. Actually, the practice was neither healthy nor harmful. This is because substance of cosmetics, Cerussa, was not the cause
of lead poisoning as long as they did not ingest directly. This casts doubt on the
reading passage which states Roman's cosmetics gave rise to lead poisoning.
In addition, according to the lecturer, water pipe in the Roman
Empire did not led to the diseases. Although there was risky possibility to bring
about lead poisoning, mineral in pipe deterred people from coming down with lead poisoning. As a result, people were less likely to access the lead of pipe. This
counters the reading passage's assertion that lead of water pipe was one
of the main factors of causing lead poisoning through polluting water.
The final point made by the lecturer is that lead component of
sapa, lead pot used by mixing wine, was small quantity. Therefore, it was not
severe to lead to ailment. This refutes the reading passage's claim that as
aristocracy was drinking wine containing lead deposit from lead pot, they were taken lead poisoning.
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