VOA慢速英语--泰国领导人下令采取行动打击清迈的污染

Thai Leader Orders Action to Fight Pollution in Chiang Mai

Thailand’s leader traveled to the northern city of Chiang Mai earlier this week to personally inspect areas with extremely poor air quality.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha ordered government agencies to take urgent measures to fight the air pollution, which has reached dangerous levels.

Recently, pollution levels in and around Chiang Mai have risen above those of major world cities known for having poor air quality.

In recent days, tests found that Northern Thailand had very high levels of airborne particulates¹ known as PM2.5. PM2.5 particulates are small enough to be taken into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. They can cause breathing problems and may raise the risks of heart disease and even some cancers.

Recently, the Chiang Mai area has had PM2.5 measurements as high as 480 micrograms. This is more than six times higher than Thailand’s air pollution safety limits. Air quality experts consider any level over 300 "hazardous²." By comparison, India’s capital New Delhi recently reached a level of 228, while Beijing had 161.

Much of Chiang Mai’s current pollution is a result of farmers burning crops. Many farmers set fires at this time of year as a way to clear land for planting. Agriculture experts say the air pollution is worse this year because of extremely dry weather.

The dirty air led many people walking or working outside to wear face masks and at least two universities cancelled classes. Mountains surrounding the city trap large levels of pollution in the area, which is popular with foreign travelers.

Prime Minister Prayuth said he had met with local officials to discuss ways to reduce the burning activities within seven days. Measures would cover more than 1,900 places across nine provinces.

“We need to work on a long-term solution with understanding from the public,” Prayuth said. “We need time to change the way we grow crops and farm. Tens of millions of people could be affected³.” He said officials had given out nearly two million face masks to people in affected areas.

His visit came after widespread criticism of the government’s reaction to the air pollution. About 40,000 people signed an online appeal calling for the local governor to be replaced. Chiang Mai officials have resisted calls to declare a state of emergency, partly because the move could frighten off visitors.

Earlier this year, Thailand’s capital Bangkok also had a problem with air pollution. That led more than 400 schools to close and Bangkok’s governor to declare a “pollution control” area. That declaration⁴ permitted road closings and limits on use of diesel⁵ fuel, outdoor burning and some building projects.

Since then, air quality in Bangkok has stayed mostly at moderate levels.

I’m Bryan Lynn.

Words in This Story

hazardous – adj. dangerous

mask – n. covering for the face

online – adj. of or related to the internet or computers

1 particulates   

n.微粒，粒子( particulate的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Techniques for controlling particulates include filtering, washing, centrifugal separation, and electrostatic precipitation. 控制颗粒污染物的技术包括过滤、洗涤、离心分离、静电沉降。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法
• Only micronic particulates penetrate to the depth of the lung. 只有微细粒子穿透到肺深部。 来自辞典例句

2 hazardous   

adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的

参考例句：

• These conditions are very hazardous for shipping.这些情况对航海非常不利。
• Everybody said that it was a hazardous investment.大家都说那是一次危险的投资。

3 affected   

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。

4 declaration   

n.宣布，宣告，宣言，声明（书），申报

参考例句：

• We read the declaration posted on the bulletin board.我们读了贴在布告板上的声明。
• At the recent convention a declaration was adopted.在最近举行的大会上通过了一项宣言。

5 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。