Landlord: Lead-based paint is the cause of many respiratory infections

­Landlord: Lead-based paint is the cause of many respiratory infections for our tenants, ranging from persistent coughs to even the onset of emphysema and lung cancer. In addition to the suffering of our residents, the lead-based paint in our buildings exposes us to the threat of lawsuits, which could jeopardize the building entirely and has already forced us to divert property-improvement funds to pay for a legal retainer. Because of the threat that lead paint poses to our community, we should therefore treat each affected wall with a coat of sealant.

Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the landlord’s argument?

(A) Exposure to lead-based paint is particularly harmful to infants, children, and the elderly, groups that make up a disproportionate percentage of the building’s tenants.

(B) Removing lead-based paint is a less costly option than is paying to litigate or settle tenant claims of negligence.

(C) Sealing lead-based paint prevents lead chips and dust from being released into the air and vents, where it is most easily breathed by tenants.

(D) Every unit in the building has at least one wall that has been painted with lead-based paint.

(E) Other nearby buildings that have removed lead paint from their walls have reported massive decreases in the incidence of respiratory problems among tenants.

IMO Option C is correct because in strengthening ques we always support the conclusion by adding a new piece of information that further supports the main conclusion. So, here the conclusion is that we should treat each affected wall with a coat of sealant so that the lead paint is no threat to the community.


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VERITAS PREP OFFICIAL EXPLANATION:

As always with Strengthen questions, the conclusion is crucial here. The conclusion isn't about removing lead paint, but instead about sealing it. So since the premises all only talk about the dangers/risks of lead paint but the conclusion takes that leap to sealing it, the gap in logic here is "why should we seal as opposed to remove (or something else)?". And choice C adds that reason, that sealing is a way to take away the detrimental effects of the lead-based paint. Note that choices B and E both strengthen the idea of removing the paint, but that doesn't fit with the conclusion which is about sealing.­