VOA慢速英語:可預(yù)防的一氧化碳中毒依然危及眾人性命

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

世界上許多地方都遭受頻繁停電的影響。人們經(jīng)常采用其他能源，像汽油或者柴油，來替代發(fā)電。但是如果不保持該使用范圍內(nèi)的通風可能會給人帶來致命的傷害。

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.

美國疾病預(yù)防與控制中心或者CDC表示美國每年大約有430人死于一氧化碳意外中毒。一氧化碳是一種無色無味的氣體。所有燃料驅(qū)動的發(fā)動機都會產(chǎn)生一氧化碳氣體。

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 generator inside the house.

最近，在馬里蘭州有一家八人在睡覺時因一氧化碳中毒死亡。一家電力公司因該家庭拖欠電費切斷了他們家的電源。他們只好在屋內(nèi)使用一個連接小型燃氣發(fā)電機來帶動電加熱器。

Patrick Breysse is the director of the CDC Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. He spoke 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.

Patrick Breysse是疾病預(yù)防與控制中心有毒物質(zhì)和疾病登記中心的主任。他通過Skype與美國之音進行了通話。他說一氧化碳的毒性很難引起注意。因為這種氣體是無色的，同時還沒有其他特別的氣味或者味道。

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

如果你當時正在睡覺，那么在你毫無意識的情況下你就有可能會一氧化碳中毒。

Mr. Breysse says that small, moveable gas generators 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.

Breysse說，那種小型的可攜帶的燃氣發(fā)電機是危險指數(shù)最高的設(shè)備，因為人們可以在家中，或者船上，甚至在帳篷里都可以使用。他說，防止一氧化碳中毒最好的方法就是知道怎樣安全使用燃氣發(fā)電機。

"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 detectors in their home environments. They are available in many parts of the world, and they are battery-operated..."

第一點是避免在封閉的環(huán)境中使用，例如室內(nèi)。第二點是我們可以鼓勵人們在家中安裝一氧化碳探測器。這種設(shè)備在世界上許多地方都有，而且是電池供電的……

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.

Breysse說因一氧化碳引起的中毒死亡事件是完全可以預(yù)防的。專家稱這種小型發(fā)電機只能在室外使用，并且放置地點至少要與房屋保持4.5米距離。

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

科學家還警告稱長期與低濃度的一氧化碳接觸可導致思考障礙，記憶喪失和抑郁。

I'm Jonathan Evans.

VOA correspondent George Putic reported this story from Washington. Jonathan Evans adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

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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

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