If pollutants are emitted into the air and water, what type of costs might be incurred as a result?

• A. External costs borne by society, such as health problems and environmental damage
• B. Marginal costs that only affect the firm's production process
• C. Private costs paid only by the polluting firm
• D. Fixed costs that do not change with pollution levels

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of external costs (also called externalities) in microeconomics: these are costs or benefits that affect third parties who are not directly involved in the economic transaction.
2. Identify that pollution typically causes negative externalities because it imposes costs on society, such as health problems and environmental damage, which are not reflected in the polluting firm's private costs.
3. Distinguish between private costs and external costs: private costs are borne by the firm itself (e.g., production expenses), while external costs are borne by others in society.
4. Recognize that marginal costs affecting only the firm's production process do not capture the broader social impact of pollution, and fixed costs are unrelated to pollution levels.
5. Conclude that the correct classification of costs resulting from pollution is external costs borne by society, reflecting the negative externalities caused by emissions into air and water.