Many areas around the world suffer from frequent loss of electrical power. People often must use other sources of power, such as gasoline or diesel fuel. But these other power sources can be deadly if people do not ventilate the area in which they are used.
世界上很多地区频繁停电。人们常常不得不使用汽油或柴油等其它能源。但是如果人们在不通风的地方使用这些能源可能是致命的。
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, says that about 430 people die every year in the U.S. from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas. All fuel-powered engines produce carbon monoxide.
美国疾病预防控制中心（简称CDC）表示，美国每年大约有430人死于意外的一氧化碳中毒。一氧化碳是一种无色无味的气体。所有以燃料为动力的发动机都会产生一氧化碳。
Recently, carbon monoxide killed eight family members as they slept in their home in the U.S. state of Maryland. An electric company had cut power to their home because the family owed the company money. They used an electric heater connected to a small gas-powered generator inside the house.
近日，一氧化碳造成了美国马里兰州一家8人在家中睡觉时死去。因为这家人欠款电力公司切断了他家的电源。他们在家里使用了一台连接到小型发电机上的电加热器。
Patrick Breysse is the director of the CDC Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. He spoke to VOA on Skype. He says the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning can be difficult to notice. The gas is colorless. It has no odor or taste.
帕特里克·布耶西(Patrick Breysse)是美国疾病预防控制中心有毒物质与疾病登记处的负责人。他通过Skype对美国之音表示，一氧化碳中毒的迹象很难察觉到，这种气体无色无味。
"If you happen to be sleeping at the time, all this could happen to you without your knowledge."
他说，“如果碰巧这时候你在睡觉，一切就会在你不知情的情况下发生。”
Mr. Breysse says that small, moveable gas generators are the most dangerous because people can operate them in their homes, or in a boat or even a tent. He says the best way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is to learn how to use these gas generators safely.
布耶西先生表示，可移动的小型汽油发电机是最危险的，因为人们可以在家中、船上甚至帐篷中操作它们。他说，防止一氧化碳中毒的最好办法就是学会如何安全使用这些汽油发电机。
"The number one step is to avoid using them in any enclosed environment like indoor space. The second this is we can encourage people to put small carbon monoxide detectors in their home environments. They are available in many parts of the world, and they are battery-operated..."
他说，“第一步是避免在室内等任何密闭环境中使用它们。第二，我们鼓励人们在家庭环境中安装小型一氧化碳探测器。这种探测器在全球大部分地区都可以买到，它们采用电池供电......”
Mr. Breysse adds that deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning are always preventable. Experts say that small generators should always be located outside and at least 4.5 meters from the home.
布耶西先生补充说，一氧化碳中毒死亡是可以预防的。专家们表示，小型发电机应该一直置于室外，距离房屋至少4.5米。
Scientists also warn that long-term contact with low levels of carbon monoxide can lead to difficulty thinking, memory loss and depression.
科学家还警告说，长期接触低水平的一氧化碳可能导致思维困难，记忆丧失或抑郁。
I'm Jonathan Evans.
我是乔纳森·埃文斯（Jonathan Evans）。(51VOA.COM对本文翻译保留全部权利，未经授权请勿转载，违者必究！)