In 1967, in response to widespread public concern aroused by medical reports of asbestos that related deaths, the National Medical Research Council organized a committee of enquiry to investigate the health threats associated with the use of asbestos in the building industry. After examining evidences provided by medical researchers and building workers and management, the Council published a report which included advices for dealing with asbestos. The report confirmed the findings of similar research in the United States and Canada. Exposure to relatively small quantities of asbestos fibers, they concluded, was directly responsible for the development of cancers, asbestosis and related diseases. Taking into account evidence provided by economists and building industry management, however, the report assumed that despite the availability of other materials, asbestos would continue to play a major role in the British building industry for many years to come because of its availability and low cost. As a result, the council gave a series of recommendations which were intended to reduce the risks to those who might be exposed to asbestos in working environments. They recommended that, where possible, asbestos free materials should be employed. In cases where asbestos was employed, it was recommended that it should be used in such a way that loose fibres were less likely to enter the air. The report recommended that special care should be taken during work in environments which contain asbestos. Workers should wear protective equipment and take special care to remove dust from the environment and clothing with the use of vacuum cleaner. The report identified five factors which determine the level of risk involved. The state and type of asbestos is critical to determining the risk factors. In addition, dust formation was found to be limited where the asbestos was used when wet rather than dry. The choice of tools was also found to affect the quantities of asbestos particles that enter the air. Machine tools produce greater quantities of dust than hand tools and, where possible, the use of the latter was recommended. A critical factor takes place in risk reduction is the adequate ventilation of the working environment. When work takes place in an enclosed space, more asbestos particles circulate and it was therefore recommended that natural or machine ventilation should be used. By closely following these advices, it was claimed that exposure can be reduced to a reasonably practical minimum.
单选题 Exposure to asbestos fibres can cause cancer ______.
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】解析:细节题。第二段第二、三句指出,几方面的研究都表明:直接接触并吸收少量的石棉绒(asbestos fibres)也会导致癌症、石棉沉着病或其他相关病症。
单选题 Exposure to asbestos fibres is harmful to people"s health ______.
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】解析:事实判断题。第二段第四句指出,报告同时也认为,虽然已有了其他建筑材料,石棉在英国建筑业未来的许多年中将继续起重要作用,因为它易得到且成本低。"so the use of asbestos is limited"与"but they will not be so when ventilation devices are used"都不对,因为即使如此,石棉对人仍有伤害。全国医学研究会所给的一些建议只能减少(reduce)石棉绒对人体的伤害,却不能杜绝,见第三段第一句。"so other new kinds of materials are under development"也不对,其他材料业已存在,而不是正在研制(under development)。
单选题 It can be inferred from the passage that the real danger comes from ______.
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】解析:事实推断题。石棉沉着病(asbestosis)是指石棉被吸进肺中沉积在内而形成肺病,因此,又被称作"石棉肺"。在使用石棉的过程中,石棉碎绒(loose fibres)进入空气中,形成石棉绒尘(dust),并被工人吸人肺中造成肺癌等疾病。研究会所提出的几个建议也首先是针对如何降低工作环境中石棉绒尘的含量,从而降低石棉的使用给建筑工人造成的危害。
单选题 Evidence from the economists and the building industries shows that ______.
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】解析:事实判断题。石棉的使用给建筑工人造成了危害,但来自经济学家与建筑业的调查表明:虽然有可供利用的其他材料,石棉在英国建筑业中还将大量使用一段时间,因为它易得到且成本低(参阅第二段最后一句)。所以,答案选项表达的内容最为贴切。
单选题 When could the risk of asbestos disappeared according to the passage?
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】解析:事实推理题。根据本文内容,报告给出的几个建议也只能减少石棉绒的威胁,而无法根本解决问题;第二段最后一句指出"但是,虽然已有了其他建筑材料,考虑到经济学家和建筑业管理人员提供的材料,石棉在英国建筑业未来的许多年中将继续起重要作用,因为它易得到且成本低"。