新奇事件簿 刹车片会损害免疫系统

There is a newly-found menace on the roads that could be harming our health - brake pads from road vehicles. Scientists have discovered that toxic¹ dust and metal particles from worn-out brake pads could have the same harmful impact on our bodies as diesel² emissions³. King's College London found that fine dust released when a vehicle brakes could cause a number of health problems. These include an inflammation of the lungs, reduced immunity⁴, an increased risk of respiratory problems, and serious infections like bronchitis or pneumonia⁵. It is estimated that 93 per cent of particulate⁶ pollution from traffic comes from sources such as tyres, clutches and brake wear, and road dust.

近期在道路上发现了一种可能危害我们健康的新威胁——道路车辆的刹车片。科学家们发现磨损刹车片中的有害灰尘和金属颗粒可能会像尾气一样对我们的身体造成同样的影响。伦敦大学国王学院发现汽车刹车时释放的粉尘会导致一系列健康问题。包括肺部炎症、免疫力下降、呼吸系统疾病风险增加以及严重的感染，如支气管炎或肺炎据估计，93%的交通颗粒物污染自轮胎、离合器和刹车磨损以及道路灰尘。

The scientists say brake dust could be the cause of a condition they have dubbed⁷ "London throat". Sufferers are the city dwellers⁸ who continually experience runny noses and irritating coughs and colds. These could be caused by people inhaling⁹ the brake dust. Metal particles coat the lungs and prevent cells in our immune system from clearing harmful bacteria. Researcher Dr Ian Mudway said dust from the various sources of friction¹⁰ within vehicles casts doubt on motor industry claims of zero-emission cars. He said: "There is no such thing as a zero-emission vehicle. As regulations to reduce exhaust emissions kick in, the contribution from sources such as brake dust are likely to become more significant."

科学家表示，刹车扬尘可能是导致“伦敦喉”的原因。其患者是那些经常流鼻涕、咳嗽、感冒的城市居民。这些可能是由人们吸入刹车粉尘引起的。金属颗粒覆盖在肺部，阻止我们免疫系统中的细胞清除有害细菌。研究人员Ian Mudway博士称来自汽车内部各种摩擦源的灰尘让人们对汽车行业宣称的零排放汽车产生了怀疑。他说道：“没有零排放这回事。随着减少尾气排放的法规开始生效，来自刹车粉尘等来源的影响可能会变得更加显著。

1 toxic   

adj.有毒的，因中毒引起的

参考例句：

• The factory had accidentally released a quantity of toxic waste into the sea.这家工厂意外泄漏大量有毒废物到海中。
• There is a risk that toxic chemicals might be blasted into the atmosphere.爆炸后有毒化学物质可能会进入大气层。

2 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。

3 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。

4 immunity   

n.优惠；免除；豁免，豁免权

参考例句：

• The law gives public schools immunity from taxation.法律免除公立学校的纳税义务。
• He claims diplomatic immunity to avoid being arrested.他要求外交豁免以便避免被捕。

5 pneumonia   

n.肺炎

参考例句：

• Cage was struck with pneumonia in her youth.凯奇年轻时得过肺炎。
• Pneumonia carried him off last week.肺炎上星期夺去了他的生命。

6 particulate   

adj.微小的；n.微粒，粒子

参考例句：

• A special group was organized to dig up the particulate of the case.成立了一个专门小组来查明该案件的各个细节。
• Lungs retain relatively insoluble particulate material.肺脏内留有不溶解的颗粒物质。

7 dubbed   

v.给…起绰号( dub的过去式和过去分词 )；把…称为；配音；复制

参考例句：

• Mathematics was once dubbed the handmaiden of the sciences. 数学曾一度被视为各门科学的基础。
• Is the movie dubbed or does it have subtitles? 这部电影是配音的还是打字幕的？ 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 dwellers   

n.居民，居住者( dweller的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City dwellers think country folk have provincial attitudes. 城里人以为乡下人思想迂腐。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• They have transformed themselves into permanent city dwellers. 他们已成为永久的城市居民。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 inhaling   

v.吸入( inhale的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• He was treated for the effects of inhaling smoke. 他因吸入烟尘而接受治疗。 来自辞典例句
• The long-term effects of inhaling contaminated air is unknown. 长期吸入被污染空气的影响还无从知晓。 来自互联网

10 friction   

n.摩擦，摩擦力

参考例句：

• When Joan returned to work,the friction between them increased.琼回来工作后，他们之间的摩擦加剧了。
• Friction acts on moving bodies and brings them to a stop.摩擦力作用于运动着的物体，并使其停止。