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VOA慢速英语2013 沉默的杀手:一氧化碳中毒

时间:2013-12-28 11:51:29

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A Silent Killer1: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning 沉默的杀手:一氧化碳中毒

From VOA Learning English, this is Science in the News. I’m Bob Doughty2. And I’m June Simms.  Winter has brought cold weather to many parts of Earth’s northern  hemisphere.  With the cold comes a danger as old as our knowledge of fire -- death or injury by carbon monoxide poisoning.  Today, we tell about this ancient and  continuing danger.

Two Chinese men were found dead in their hotel room in Nepal earlier this month.  A medical expert spoke3 to Agence France-Presse after he had examined the bodies.  The  medical examiner blamed the deaths on carbon monoxide poisoning from a malfunctioning4 gas heater.  A local police official said poor air flow in the hotel room could  have been partly responsible for the deaths.

Also in December, police officers were called to a home in the American community of Commerce City, Colorado.  They found one man dead and seven other people suffering  from carbon monoxide poisoning.  The seven were taken to a hospital for treatment.

These are just two of the cases of carbon monoxide poisoning that have been reported around the world this month. The United States’ Centers for Disease Control and  Prevention estimates that carbon monoxide kills hundreds of people every year, and sickens thousands.  The CDC notes that carbon monoxide poisoning can happen outdoors  in fresh air.  It says the gas has been linked with power-generating equipment and with engines on houseboats. Generators6, Charcoal7 Grills9 Can Cause Carbon Monoxide- Related Deaths  The Consumer Product Safety Commission is responsible for protecting Americans from unreasonable10 risks of death or injury from thousands of products.   The commission studies death records and estimates the number of carbon monoxide-related deaths that could be linked to products under its supervision11.  There were an  estimated 146 such deaths in 2009 -- the most recent year for which information is available.  The report says 53 percent of the deaths involved engine-driven tools,  like generators.  Heating systems were blamed for 27 percent of the deaths.  The rest of the deaths were blamed on gases from charcoal grills, water heaters and  lanterns.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is not only a problem in the United States.  It causes many deaths and injuries to people and animals around the world.

The gas has been a problem since people first began burning fuels to cook food or to create heat.  It is a problem in all parts of the world that experience cold  weather.

Carbon monoxide is called the silent killer because people do not know it is in the air.  The gas has no color.  It has no taste.  It has no smell.  It does not cause  a burning sensation in the eyes.  And it does not cause people to cough.  But it can be deadly.  It quickly robs the body of its ability to use oxygen.

Carbon monoxide decreases the ability of the blood to carry oxygen to body tissues.  It does this by linking with the blood.  When the gas links with the blood, the  blood is no longer able to carry oxygen to the tissues that need it.

Damage to the body can begin quickly from large amounts of carbon monoxide.  How quickly this happens depends on the length of time a person is breathing the gas and  the amount of the gas he or she breathes in.  Another consideration is how much alcohol the person might have had to drink.

Carbon monoxide poisoning has warning signs.  But people have to be awake to recognize them.  Small amounts of the gas will cause a person’s head to hurt.  He or she  may begin to feel tired.  The person may feel sick.  The room may appear to be turning around.  The person may have trouble thinking clearly.

People develop head pain as the amount of gas continues to enter their blood.  They will begin to feel very tired and sleepy.  They may have stomach pain.  But people  who are asleep can die from carbon monoxide poisoning before feeling any of these symptoms.

Carbon monoxide is measured in parts per million in a normal atmosphere.  Breathing in 200 parts per million of carbon monoxide will cause the first signs of  poisoning.  It will result in head pain, stomach problems and a feeling of tiredness after two to three hours.

A level of 800 parts per million will cause a person to lose consciousness.  Victims will not know what is taking place around them.  This will happen within two hours  of breathing in this amount of carbon monoxide.  Twelve thousand parts per million of the gas will cause death in one to three minutes. Adults, Children Affected12  Differently by Carbon MonoxideMedical experts say carbon monoxide affects people differently.  For example, a small child will experience health problems or die much  quicker than an adult will.  The general health of the person or his or her age can also be important.

An older adult with health problems may suffer the effects of carbon monoxide more quickly than a younger person with no health problems.  People with heart disease  may suffer chest pains.  They may begin to have trouble breathing.

Carbon monoxide does not always cause death.  But it can cause health problems.  Breathing low amounts of the gas for long periods of time can lead to permanent damage  in the heart, lungs or brain.  Experts say small amounts of carbon monoxide over a long period of time can harm an unborn baby.

What causes carbon monoxide gas?  Any device that burns fuels like coal, gasoline, kerosene13, oil or wood can create the gas.  Water heaters that burn natural gas  create carbon monoxide.  Fireplaces and stoves that burn wood create the gas.  Natural gas stoves and gas dryers14 or charcoal grills also create carbon monoxide.  Automobiles create it.

Experts say the leading cause of carbon monoxide poisoning is damaged or misused15 equipment that burns these fossil fuels.  Many people die or are injured by the gas  because they do not use these devices correctly.  Any device used to heat a home should be inspected to make sure it is working correctly.  And, cooking equipment like  a charcoal grill8 should never be used to heat an enclosed area. Fuel-burning devices can create carbon monoxide gas because not all of the fuel is burned.  Most  devices used for home heating have a way to expel the gas from the home.  For example, a fireplace has a chimney.  Natural-gas stoves or gas water heaters are usually  connected to a device that safely expels the gas from the home.  Automobiles also have a system for releasing unburned fuel.

Anyone who uses a device that burns fossil fuel must inspect the equipment carefully to reduce chances of carbon monoxide escaping.  Companies that produce the devices  usually provide directions about using the device correctly.  These directions should be read and understood before using any equipment that burns fuel inside a home.

A small, portable gas generator5 can be dangerous.  The Centers for Disease Control warns that such a device can kill within minutes when not used correctly.

You can do several things to protect yourself from the effects of carbon monoxide.  First, immediately leave the area if you recognize the signs of carbon monoxide  poisoning in yourself or others.  Seek emergency medical services after you leave the area where you suspect the gas might be.  Usually, the treatment for carbon  monoxide poisoning involves breathing in large amounts of oxygen.  However, a doctor will know the best method to treat the effects of such poisoning.

Carbon monoxide does not quickly leave the body, even after treatment has begun.  It can take several hours before the gas disappears.  If you suspect carbon monoxide  is a problem in your home, call local fire officials.  Firefighters may have the necessary equipment to find or identify the gas.

Using Technology to Protect Against Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ?In many countries, it is possible to buy and use a special device that will warn when harmful levels of  carbon monoxide are in the area.  These monitors can be linked to a home’s electric system.  Others are battery-powered. Experts say these devices should be placed  near sleeping areas in the home and should be tested at least twice a year.

The most important weapon against carbon monoxide poisoning is the safe use of materials to heat any enclosed area.  Safety directions that come with heating equipment  must be followed.  Older equipment powered by fossil fuels should be inspected every year to make sure it continues to be safe.  Knowledge about the dangers of carbon  monoxide could be the most important information you ever learn.

You can learn more about carbon monoxide poisoning on our website, learningenglish.voanews.com. This Science in the News was written by Christopher Cruise and June  Simms, who was also our producer. I’m Bob Doughty.

And I’m June Simms. 


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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 killer rpLziK     
n.杀人者,杀人犯,杀手,屠杀者
参考例句:
  • Heart attacks have become Britain's No.1 killer disease.心脏病已成为英国的头号致命疾病。
  • The bulk of the evidence points to him as her killer.大量证据证明是他杀死她的。
2 doughty Jk5zg     
adj.勇猛的,坚强的
参考例句:
  • Most of successful men have the characteristics of contumacy and doughty.绝大多数成功人士都有共同的特质:脾气倔强,性格刚强。
  • The doughty old man battled his illness with fierce determination.坚强的老人用巨大毅力与疾病作斗争。
3 spoke XryyC     
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。
4 malfunctioning 1fad45d7d841115924d97b278aea7280     
出故障
参考例句:
  • But something was malfunctioning in the equipment due to human error. 但由于人为的错误,设备发生故障了。 来自超越目标英语 第4册
  • Choke coils are useful for prevention of malfunctioning electronic equipment. 扼流圈对于防止电器设备的故障很有帮助。 来自互联网
5 generator Kg4xs     
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。
6 generators 49511c3cf5edacaa03c4198875f15e4e     
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》
7 charcoal prgzJ     
n.炭,木炭,生物炭
参考例句:
  • We need to get some more charcoal for the barbecue.我们烧烤需要更多的碳。
  • Charcoal is used to filter water.木炭是用来过滤水的。
8 grill wQ8zb     
n.烤架,铁格子,烤肉;v.烧,烤,严加盘问
参考例句:
  • Put it under the grill for a minute to brown the top.放在烤架下烤一分钟把上面烤成金黄色。
  • I'll grill you some mutton.我来给你烤一些羊肉吃。
9 grills 9d5be5605118251ddee0c25cd1da00e8     
n.烤架( grill的名词复数 );(一盘)烤肉;格板;烧烤餐馆v.烧烤( grill的第三人称单数 );拷问,盘问
参考例句:
  • Backyard barbecue grills could be proscribed. 里弄烤肉店会被勒令停业的。 来自辞典例句
  • Both side inlets have horizontal grills and incorporate impressive fog lamps. 两侧进气口的水平烤架并纳入令人印象深刻的雾灯。 来自互联网
10 unreasonable tjLwm     
adj.不讲道理的,不合情理的,过度的
参考例句:
  • I know that they made the most unreasonable demands on you.我知道他们对你提出了最不合理的要求。
  • They spend an unreasonable amount of money on clothes.他们花在衣服上的钱太多了。
11 supervision hr6wv     
n.监督,管理
参考例句:
  • The work was done under my supervision.这项工作是在我的监督之下完成的。
  • The old man's will was executed under the personal supervision of the lawyer.老人的遗嘱是在律师的亲自监督下执行的。
12 affected TzUzg0     
adj.不自然的,假装的
参考例句:
  • She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
  • His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。
13 kerosene G3uxW     
n.(kerosine)煤油,火油
参考例句:
  • It is like putting out a fire with kerosene.这就像用煤油灭火。
  • Instead of electricity,there were kerosene lanterns.没有电,有煤油灯。
14 dryers 5c56a853f6c2d82daa52b15f68e1b2ac     
n.干燥机( dryer的名词复数 );干燥器;干燥剂;干燥工
参考例句:
  • Men also have hair dryers and, if they suffer from baldness, they use a growth stimulator, buy hairpieces, or have hair transplanted from the hirsute part of the scalp to the bare areas. 男士也有他们的吹风机,而且如果他们秃顶的话,还会用毛发生长剂、买假发,或者把头发从密集的地方移植到谢顶的地方。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The dryers can be automated. 干燥机可以自动化作业。 来自辞典例句
15 misused 8eaf65262a752e371adfb992201c1caf     
v.使用…不当( misuse的过去式和过去分词 );把…派作不正当的用途;虐待;滥用
参考例句:
  • He misused his dog shamefully. 他可耻地虐待自己的狗。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He had grossly misused his power. 他严重滥用职权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

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