VOA常速英语:Diesel Cars Blamed as WHO Warns 9 about Air Pollution(翻译)

The unseen clouds of toxic gases that choke London streets revealed using inverter cameras normally used on oil refineries.The company that filmed this footage, Phelia Systems,says it shows air pollution as it is happening.

Experts say pedestrians often don’t realize how close they are to sources of so-called‘raw pollution’.“One of the difficulties of getting the message across to the public at large these days is that air pollution, although it’s a major public health problem, is actually invisible.Not like the smogs of the 1950s and 60s when not only could you see it,you could barely see anything else”.

So what exactly are we breathing in on traffic-clogged streets?

“The main problem that you are breathing in are the particulates, the soot largely from diesel exhausts,which is the primary problem as far as public health is concerned.And that’s responsible for maybe up to around 30,000 premature deaths across the UK”.“The other pollutant that’s more recently become an issue is nitrogen dioxide, again largely from diesel.”

Diesel cars are seen as the main culprit of urban air pollution.German carmaker Volkswagen’s attempt to fix emissions tests — known as ‘diesel-gate’—has sharpened the focus on phasing out diesel engines.

“It’s quite clear that the car industry is feeling the pressure of a public health crisis owing to air pollution in big cities in particular —and the aftermath of the ‘diesel-gate’ scandal.Which is the reason why it’s looking to produce new electric models”.

At last month’s annual Paris Motor Show, electric cars dominated the stands.Volkswagen has announced it aims to sell 2 to 3 million electric vehicles a year by 2025.

“Regulation of the industry could be higher.The industry could be held up to a much higher standard when it comes to emissions by making the transformation to electric vehicles quite fast.”

The World Health Organization released data last month,showing that 9 in 10 people live in places where air pollution exceeds safe limits.Experts say electric cars could offer the solution—with the proviso that the electricity is generated using renewable energy.

Hannew Ritral, VOA News, London.