The existence of polluting industries near schools does not lead to a decrease in the air quality at those schools. Proof of this is shown at middle school X in southern California, where an oil well was built on middle school X' s campus. The air quality at middle school X is no worse than the air quality at other middle schools in the state, and the students at middle school X do not suffer more frequently from air pollution-related allergies than do students in other middle schools in the state. Each of the following statements, if true, weakens the argument EXCEPT: ['More animal and plant life thrive near middle school X than at other middle schools in the state.', 'More students at middle school X suffer from allergies, commonly known to be caused by air pollution, than students at middle schools not located near pollution sources.', 'Middle school X, located near the oil well, is also farther from major highways and other sources of air pollution than the other middle schools in the state.', 'Prior to the oil well being built near middle school X, the air quality at middle school X was marginally better than the air quality of other middle schools in the state.']