(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
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.
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 generator inside the house.
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.
"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 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.
"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..."
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.
I'm Jonathan Evans.
词汇解释
1.ventilate vt. 使通风；给…装通风设备；宣布
Open the window and ventilate the room.
打开窗户，让房间空气流通。
2.odorless adj. 没有气味的
Hydrogen is a corlorless, odorless gas.
氢气是一种无色、无味的气体。
3.generator n. 发电机；发生器；生产者
The house is far from water mains and electricity and relies on its own generators.
这座房子远离自来水总管和供电网，依靠自备的发电机。
4.detector n. 探测器；检测器；发现者；侦察器
This detector is a very delicate instrument; it'll go wrong if it's mishandled.
这个探测器是个非常精密的仪器，如果胡乱使用就会出现故障。
内容解析
1.Many areas around the world suffer from frequent loss of electrical power
suffer from 忍受，遭受；患…病；受…之苦
How long have you been suffering from a headache?
你头痛有多久了?
Your son suffers from your excessive shielding.
你的过分袒护，反而害了你的儿子。
2.Scientists also warn that long-term contact with low levels of carbon monoxide can lead to difficulty thinking, memory loss and depression.
lead to 导致；通向；把…带到(或引到)
Heart failure led to her father's death.
心力衰竭导致她父亲的死亡。
He led us to a museum.
他把我们带到了一个博物馆。
参考译文
世界上很多地区经常停电，人们通常只得使用汽油或柴油等其他能源，但如果人们在不通风的地方使用这些能源很可能会致命。
美国疾病控制与预防中心(CDC)称美国每年有大约430人死于意外的一氧化碳中毒，一氧化碳是无色无味的气体，所有以燃料为动力的引擎都能产生一氧化碳。
最近，美国马里兰州一家8口在家中睡觉时死于一氧化碳中毒，电力公司以欠电费为由切断了这家人的电力，他们使用连接到小型发电机上的电热器取暖。
帕特里克·布耶西是美国疾病控制与预防中心有毒物质与疾病登记处主任，他通过Skype接受了美国之音的采访，他说一氧化碳中毒的迹象很难发觉，这种气体没有颜色，也没有味道。
“如果你当时碰巧在睡觉，一切都会在不知不觉中发生。”
布耶西说，可移动的小型发电机是最危险的，因为人们可以在室内、船上甚至帐篷中进行操作。他说预防一氧化碳中毒的最好办法是学会如何安全地使用这些汽油发电机。
“第一是避免在室内等封闭的环境里使用它们，第二，我们鼓励人们在家中放置小型一氧化碳探测器，这种探测器在全世界很多地方都可以买到，是用电池为动力的。”
布耶西说，一氧化碳导致的死亡通常是可以预防的，专家们说小型发电机应该放在室外，或者至少距离房间4.5米。
科学家们还警告称，长期接触低浓度的一氧化碳会导致思维困难、记忆损失和抑郁。
我是乔纳森·伊万斯。
译文为可可英语翻译，未经授权请勿转载！
