Critical Reasoning

A study conducted by the department of health on textile factory workers who work with polyulsterene, a newly developed synthetic fiber, discovered that an alarmingly high number of these workers complained of nausea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. Since the use of polyulsterene for a variety of garments is expected to increase dramatically in the coming year, local health departments can expect to encounter a noticeable increase in the number of patients complaining of nausea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.

Each of the following, if true, strengthens the argument EXCEPT:


(A) The vast majority of textile factory workers who do not work with polyulsterene did not complain of nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, or any other major health problems.

(B) According to the department of health, nausea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite are all symptoms that can often be the early warning signs of a potentially very serious medical condition.

(C) Local departments of health in the few cities in which clothing made with polyulsterene has already been introduced have reported increased complaints of nausea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.

(D) Individuals who wear clothing made with only polyulsterene have a much higher incidence of symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite than do individuals who do not wear clothing made with polyulsterene at all.

(E) The textile factory workers surveyed were handpicked by researchers so as to be a highly representative cross-section of the population with regard to factors such as previous medical history