Wood smoke contains dangerous toxins that cause changes in human cells

The correct answer: E

Argument Analysis:
1. Wood smoke contains dangerous toxins that cause changes in human cells
2. It presents a high health risk
3. Because it presents a high health risk, laws are needed to regulate the use of
a) open-air fires
b) wood burning stoves

Question:
Find a Strengthener

Prethinking:
What new information will help us believe more in the notion that laws are needed to regulate the use of open-air fires and wood burning stoves?

Given wood smoke is a high health risk

1. Any statement that supports the idea that wood smoke is extremely dangerous - a high health risk

Example: Wood smoke has a very high amount of carcinogens that have been shown to cause lung cancer

2. Any statement that indicates that open air fires/wood burning stoves are significant generators of wood smoke and therefore regulation here can help.

Example: As per a study, open air fires and wood burning stoves have been found to be the cause of a majority of the wood smoke

Option Choice Analysis:

(A) The amount of dangerous toxins contained in wood smoke is much less than the amount contained in an equal volume of automobile exhaust.
This argument is only concerned with the danger posed by wood smoke. How it compares with another source of dangerous toxins is irrelevant.

(B) Within the jurisdiction covered by the proposed legislation, most heating and cooking is done with oil or natural gas.
If anything, it weakens the argument by suggesting that things that generate wood smoke are not used as much. Then why regulation? So, it can be considered a weakener at some level.

(C) Smoke produced by coal-burning stoves is significantly more toxic than smoke from wood-burning stoves.
This argument is only concerned with the danger posed by wood smoke. How it compares with another type of smoke is irrelevant.

(D) No significant beneficial effect on air quality would result if open-air fires were banned within the jurisdiction covered by the proposed legislation.
If so, why have this proposal to regulate usage of open air fires? Yet again, it goes in the other direction. it weakens belief that the regulation will help rather than strengthen it.

(E) In valleys where wood is used as the primary heating fuel, the concentration of smoke results in poor air quality.
Correct. This is in line with strengthener 1 from our prethinking. It suggests that where wood is used for heating, the wood smoke that is generated is concentrated such that it impacts air quality negatively. In other words, it indicates how wood smoke is dangerous/bad for health. This will strengthen the conclusion that legislation to regulate will help.

E is the correct choice.

Hope this helps!
Regards