一、听力练习
1.
A. The process of removing asbestos and hazardous waste at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
B. The challenges faced by workers in high-temperature environments and the use of wearable technology to monitor heat stress.
C. The history and purpose of Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.
D. The impact of extreme heat on productivity and safety in U.S. workplaces.
2.
A. The introduction of new wearable technologies for monitoring heat stress.
B. A 2021 report from the Atlantic Council highlighting the economic impact of heat on productivity.
C. The growing number of deaths caused by heat in U.S. workplaces.
D. The recent rise in global temperatures.
3.
A. Using thermometers to check employees' temperatures.
B. Wearing full-body protective clothing.
C. Swallowing thermometer capsules.
D. Using wearable sensors and armbands to monitor body temperature.
二、听力文本
On a hot summer day, workers recently worked to remove asbestos and hazardous waste at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. It is a former nuclear center that the government wants to tear down. The men wore full-body protective clothing and used respirators to clean the air they breathe. But the clothing does not protect them from high temperatures inside the building and inside their heavy clothing. On their arms, they wear devices that record their heart rates, movements and levels of exertion. The aim is to look for heat stress. The issue of heat in the workplace has been getting more attention since a 2021 report from the research organization Atlantic Council. The group said the United States loses an average of $100 billion each year from “heat-induced” reductions in productivity. The Environmental Protection Agency said from 1992 to 2022, 986 people died from heat-related causes in U.S. workplaces. Employers have measured heat-related stress by checking employees' temperatures with thermometers. More recently, firefighters and military members have swallowed thermometer capsules. As the world experiences record-high temperatures, employers are exploring wearable technologies, like sensors and armbands, to help keep workers safe. They collect body temperature and warn workers to take breaks when they get too hot. Experts say the effectiveness of some devices remains unproven although research has shown that some successfully predict body temperature. A 2022 study said age, sex, and the amount of water in the air make it difficult to measure body temperature.
Question 1: What is the main idea of the news report?
Question 2: What has caused an increase in attention to heat-related issues in the workplace?
Question 3: Which of the following methods has NOT been mentioned as a way to measure heat-related stress in workers?
三、重点词汇
1. hazardous: risky; dangerous 危险的
四、背景知识
石棉又称“石绵”，指具有高抗张强度、高挠性、耐化学和热侵蚀、电绝缘和具有可纺性的硅酸盐类矿物产品。它是天然的纤维状的硅酸盐类矿物质的总称。石棉按其成分和内部结构，分为蛇纹石石棉（温石棉）和角闪石石棉（包括青石棉、铁石棉等）两大类，下辖2类共计6种矿物（有蛇纹石石棉、角闪石石棉、阳起石石棉、直闪石石棉、铁石棉、透闪石石棉等）。石棉由纤维束组成，而纤维束又由很长很细的能相互分离的纤维组成。石棉具有高度耐火性、电绝缘性和绝热性，是重要的防火、绝缘和保温材料。但是由于石棉纤维能引起石棉肺、胸膜间皮瘤等疾病，许多国家选择了全面禁止使用这种危险性物质。 2017年10月27日，世界卫生组织国际癌症研究机构公布的致癌物清单初步整理参考，石棉（各种形式，包括阳起石、铁石棉、直闪石、温石棉、青石棉、透闪石）在一类致癌物清单中。角闪石石棉因为具有较强致癌性，中国已于2002年禁止生产和使用。（背景知识来自于）
五、参考答案
Question 1: B
Question 2: B
Question 3: B
六、网络翻译
在一个炎热的夏日，工人们最近在田纳西州的橡树岭国家实验室进行石棉和危险废物的清理。这是一个前核中心，政府希望将其拆除。工人们穿着全身防护服，使用呼吸器来净化他们呼吸的空气。然而，这些防护服并不能保护他们免受建筑内部和厚重衣物中的高温影响。他们的手臂上佩戴着记录心率、运动和努力程度的设备，目的是监测热应激。自2021年大西洋理事会的一份报告以来，职场中的高温问题受到了更多关注。该组织表示，美国每年因“热引起”的生产力下降损失平均达1000亿美元。环境保护局表示，从1992年到2022年，美国因热相关原因死亡的人数达到986人。雇主通过测量员工的体温来评估与热相关的压力。近年来，消防员和军人开始吞下温度计胶囊。随着全球气温创下新高，雇主们正在探索可穿戴技术，如传感器和臂带，以帮助确保工人的安全。这些技术可以收集体温，并在工人感到过热时提醒他们休息。专家表示，尽管研究表明某些设备能有效预测体温，但一些设备的有效性仍未得到证实。2022年的一项研究指出，年龄、性别和空气中的水分含量使得体温测量变得困难。
七、版权说明
英文新闻来自于VOA；背景知识来自于国内等多个平台。本平台属于公益平台，未通过转载相关内容获得相关利益。文章不涉及打赏及相关产品推荐等。转载相关中文背景知识出于传递更多信息、方便学生理解相关新闻背景；英文文章及音频所传递的观点与本公众号无关。网络翻译来源于ChatGPT的在线翻译，翻译内容仅供参考。此外，内容删减仅是因为篇幅以及考虑学生接受等目的，不涉及歪曲事实观点及作者相关意见。若有来源标注错误或侵犯了您的合法权益，请与本公众号运营人员进行联系，我们将及时更正、删除，谢谢。 邮箱地址：yangyanchao@mmc.edu.mo
