VOA慢速英语2015 可预防的一氧化碳中毒每年仍夺去许多生命

AS IT IS 2015-05-11 Preventable Carbon Monoxide Still Claims Many Lives 可预防的一氧化碳中毒每年仍夺去许多生命

Many areas around the world suffer from frequent loss of electrical power. People often must use other sources of power, such as gasoline or diesel¹ fuel. But these other power sources can be deadly if people do not ventilate the area in which they are used.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, says that about 430 people die every year in the U.S. from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas. All fuel-powered engines produce carbon monoxide.

Recently, carbon monoxide killed eight family members as they slept in their home in the U.S. state of Maryland. An electric company had cut power to their home because the family owed the company money. They used an electric heater connected to a small gas-powered generator² inside the house.

Patrick Breysse is the director of the CDC Agency for Toxic³ Substances and Disease Registry. He spoke⁴ to VOA on Skype. He says the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning can be difficult to notice. The gas is colorless. It has no odor or taste.

“If you happen to be sleeping at the time, all this could happen to you without your knowledge.”

Mr. Breysse says that small, moveable gas generators⁵ are the most dangerous because people can operate them in their homes, or in a boat or even a tent. He says the best way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is to learn how to use these gas generators safely.

“The number one step is to avoid using them in any enclosed environment like indoor space. The second this is we can encourage people to put small carbon monoxide detectors⁷ in their home environments. They are available in many parts of the world, and they are battery-operated...”

Mr. Breysse adds that deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning are always preventable. Experts say that small generators should always be located outside and at least 4.5 meters from the home.

Scientists also warn that long-term contact with low levels of carbon monoxide can lead to difficulty thinking, memory loss and depression.

Words in This Story

frequent – adj. happening often

ventilate – v. to permit fresh air to enter and move through a room, building, etc.

generator – n. a machine that produces electricity

odor – n. a particular smell

detector⁶ – n. a device that can tell if a substance or object is present: a device that signals the presence of something

1 diesel   

n.柴油发动机，内燃机

参考例句：

• We experimented with diesel engines to drive the pumps.我们试着用柴油机来带动水泵。
• My tractor operates on diesel oil.我的那台拖拉机用柴油开动。

2 generator   

n.发电机，发生器

参考例句：

• All the while the giant generator poured out its power.巨大的发电机一刻不停地发出电力。
• This is an alternating current generator.这是一台交流发电机。

3 toxic   

adj.有毒的，因中毒引起的

参考例句：

• The factory had accidentally released a quantity of toxic waste into the sea.这家工厂意外泄漏大量有毒废物到海中。
• There is a risk that toxic chemicals might be blasted into the atmosphere.爆炸后有毒化学物质可能会进入大气层。

4 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

5 generators   

n.发电机，发生器( generator的名词复数 )；电力公司

参考例句：

• The factory's emergency generators were used during the power cut. 工厂应急发电机在停电期间用上了。
• Power can be fed from wind generators into the electricity grid system. 电力可以从风力发电机流入输电网。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 detector   

n.发觉者，探测器

参考例句：

• The detector is housed in a streamlined cylindrical container.探测器安装在流线型圆柱形容器内。
• Please walk through the metal detector.请走过金属检测器。

7 detectors   

探测器( detector的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The report advocated that all buildings be fitted with smoke detectors. 报告主张所有的建筑物都应安装烟火探测器。
• This is heady wine for experimenters using these neutrino detectors. 对于使用中微子探测器的实验工作者，这是令人兴奋的美酒。 来自英汉非文学 - 科技