新奇事件簿 警惕你的家居日用

Scientists say we are unaware¹ of a massive cause of pollution that is right under our very noses. Everyday household items such as toothpaste, shaving foam², deodorant³, perfume and furniture polish contain volatile⁴ compounds that help to cause pollution. Dr Brian McDonald, an air-pollution researcher at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric⁵ Administration, conducted research into how our homes create pollution. His team was surprised to find that household items now contribute as heavily to particular types of air pollution as cars, trucks and other vehicles. Dr McDonald said that as "the transportation sector⁶ gets cleaner, these other sources...become more and more important".

科学家们表示人类还未意识到存在于我们眼皮子底下的大量污染源。牙膏、剃须泡沫、除臭剂、香水以及家具打光料等常家居用品含有造成污染的挥发性化合物。布莱恩·麦克唐纳博士是美国国家海洋与大气管理局里的一名大气污染研究人员，他对家居如何制造污染进行研究。他的团队惊奇的发现家居用品如今也和汽车、卡车以及其他车辆一样是空气污染的特殊类型。布莱恩·麦克唐纳博士说道“运输行业变得更加洁净，这些其他来源也变得越来越重要。”

The researchers focused on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a whole range of household items. VOCs react with sunlight to form ozone⁷ pollution. This escapes into the environment and gets trapped in our house or apartment, causing pollution in our homes. The scientists said VOCs interact with other chemicals to form tiny particles in the air. These particles can lead to lung damage. Dr McDonald said governments should regulate household products more tightly to reduce their negative impact on our health. He issued a stark⁸ warning, saying: "The things I use in the morning to get ready for work are comparable to emissions⁹ that come out of the tailpipe of my car."

研究人员主要专注于家居用品全部范围内的挥发性有机物（VOCs）。VOCs和臭氧污染中的阳光进行反应。逃入环境之中、困在我们的房子或公寓中并造成污染。科学家们表示VOCs与其他化学物质相互作用以形成空气中的微粒。这些微粒会造成肺损伤。麦克唐纳博士称政府应该对日用品加紧管控以减少它们对人类健康的负面影响。他发出严厉警告称：“早晨上班前我们所使用的物品和从我的汽车排气管里所释放出来的排放物相当。”

1 unaware   

a.不知道的，未意识到的

参考例句：

• They were unaware that war was near. 他们不知道战争即将爆发。
• I was unaware of the man's presence. 我没有察觉到那人在场。

2 foam   

v./n.泡沫，起泡沫

参考例句：

• The glass of beer was mostly foam.这杯啤酒大部分是泡沫。
• The surface of the water is full of foam.水面都是泡沫。

3 deodorant   

adj.除臭的；n.除臭剂

参考例句：

• She applies deodorant to her armpits after she showers.沐浴后，她在腋下涂上除臭剂。
• Spray deodorant and keep the silk garments dry before dressing.在穿衣之前，洒涂防臭剂并保持干燥。

4 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。

5 atmospheric   

adj.大气的，空气的；大气层的；大气所引起的

参考例句：

• Sea surface temperatures and atmospheric circulation are strongly coupled.海洋表面温度与大气环流是密切相关的。
• Clouds return radiant energy to the surface primarily via the atmospheric window.云主要通过大气窗区向地表辐射能量。

6 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

7 ozone   

n.臭氧，新鲜空气

参考例句：

• The ozone layer is a protective layer around the planet Earth.臭氧层是地球的保护层。
• The capacity of ozone can adjust according of requirement.臭氧的产量可根据需要或调节。

8 stark   

adj.荒凉的；严酷的；完全的；adv.完全地

参考例句：

• The young man is faced with a stark choice.这位年轻人面临严峻的抉择。
• He gave a stark denial to the rumor.他对谣言加以完全的否认。

9 emissions   

排放物( emission的名词复数 )； 散发物（尤指气体）

参考例句：

• Most scientists accept that climate change is linked to carbon emissions. 大多数科学家都相信气候变化与排放的含碳气体有关。
• Dangerous emissions radiate from plutonium. 危险的辐射物从钚放散出来。