Consider the following statements : Statement-I : Many chewing gums found in the market are considered a source of environmental pollution. Statement-II : Many chewing gums contain plastic as gum base. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?

Defines 'non-biodegradable pollutants' (e.g., plastics) as those not decomposed by microbes — establishes that persistent materials cause long‑term pollution.

A student could check whether common gum bases are synthetic/non‑biodegradable polymers; if so, by analogy they may behave like listed non‑biodegradables and persist as pollutants.

Describes urban solid waste and small discarded items (plastics, containers) as sources of land pollution and nuisance in cities.

Combine this with the observable fact that chewed gum is often discarded in urban areas to judge whether it contributes to solid‑waste pollution and litter problems.

Gives a straightforward classification of pollution media (air, water, land), framing where a material like discarded gum would be counted (land/urban pollution).

Use this classification to narrow investigation to land/urban waste studies and to look for reports of gum as a land/litter pollutant.

Notes that traditional chewing gum component 'chicle' is a natural, plant‑derived material (sap of zapota), implying some gums can be biodegradable.

A student could contrast brands with natural chicle vs. those listing industrial gum bases to infer which are more likely biodegradable or persistent.

States that natural 'gums' (from acacia, etc.) are used in the candy industry, showing there exist natural adhesive/gum substances used in food.

Compare ingredient lists of commercial gums to see how many use such natural gums versus synthetic bases to estimate potential for biodegradability and pollution.

Names a traditional chewing-gum base (Chicle) made from tree sap, showing gum bases can be natural polymers.

Compare historical natural gum-base examples with modern product ingredient lists to see if manufacturers now use alternative (synthetic) bases.

Lists natural gums (acacia, carob, mesquite) used in candy industry, implying that 'gum' material for confectionery has established natural sources.

Use this pattern (natural gums used in candy) to check whether modern commercial gum ingredient lists instead name synthetic polymers rather than these natural gums.

Discusses synthetic polymers as commercially used materials that require stabilizers for sunlight exposure, indicating synthetic polymers are widely applied in industry.

Given their broad industrial use, look for polymer names or stabilizer-related terms in gum ingredient panels as a sign of synthetic gum base use.

Notes presence of additives, plasticizers and fillers in plastics, showing that commercial plastics commonly contain such components.

If chewing-gum bases are synthetic, ingredient lists or safety/data sheets might mention plasticizers/fillers—search for those terms when examining gum products.

States plastics are widely used in packaging and consumer goods due to cost and convenience, suggesting substitution of plastics for traditional materials is common in modern products.

Apply this substitution tendency to suspect that low-cost commercial gums might replace natural chicle with synthetic polymer bases; then verify via ingredient labels or manufacturer info.

Gives a clear general rule that plastics are non-biodegradable pollutants (listed alongside glass, heavy metals, etc.).

A student could use this to ask whether typical gum bases are plastic-like and therefore persistent in the environment.

Describes problems from plastic waste in land environments (drain choking, animal ingestion, additives/plasticizers present).

A student might check if discarded gum behaves like other plastic litter (sticks to surfaces, resists degradation) and whether additives in gum base match those concerns.

Lists harms from plastics including animal health effects and toxic by-products when burned, showing mechanisms by which plastics cause pollution.

One could compare those mechanisms (ingestion, burning, leaching) with documented impacts of discarded chewing gum.

Gives an example of a natural gum base (chicle from zapota tree), showing gum bases are not necessarily synthetic plastics.

A student could use this to reason that if some gum bases are natural, plastic content cannot be assumed universal and must be checked by product type or era.

Notes that gums (from plants) are used in the candy industry, implying a variety of gum materials and uses.

A student could survey whether modern commercial chewing gum formulations tend toward plant-derived bases or synthetic/plastic bases to evaluate the plausibility that plastics are the main cause.