专家警告称，英国饮用水中 “永久性化学物质” 的含量需要受到更严格的控制，这些化学物质可能危害人类健康。这类污染物被称为 PFAS （ per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances ），即全氟和多氟烷基物质。有研究表明，摄入大量的全氟和多氟烷基物质会导致严重的健康问题，包括癌症和生育问题。
'Forever chemicals' are used in a wide range of products from food packaging to make-up because of their water-resistant properties.
“永久性化学物质” 因其防水的特性被广泛用于食品包装和化妆品等各类产品中。
UK water companies are required to test for 47 different types of PFAS. If levels are considered high risk, guidelines suggest the water isn't used for drinking purposes.
目前，英国各自来水公司按要求需对水中47种全氟和多氟烷基物质（PFAS）的含量进行检测。如果含量被认定为过高，根据英国饮用水监管局的指导方针，这些水则不可用作饮用水。
The Royal Society of Chemistry says this still exposes people to medium-risk levels and doesn't cover thousands of other types of PFAS. It wants tests for all PFAS and a tenfold reduction in the levels deemed acceptable, more in line with the US.
英国皇家化学学会表示，即便这样，人们仍会接触到一定量的有害物质，而且目前的检测并没有涵盖数千种其它类型的全氟和多氟烷基物质。该机构希望可以对水中所有类型的全氟和多氟烷基物质进行检测，并将饮用水中全氟和多氟烷基物质含量的最高限量降低十倍，更加接近美国的标准。
词汇表
forever chemicals 永久性化学物质
food packaging 食品包装
make-up 化妆品
water-resistant 防水的
PFAS “per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances” 的缩写，全氟和多氟烷基物质
guidelines 准则，指导方针
exposes 使…暴露于
tenfold 十倍的
deemed 被视为
in line with 与…处于同等水准
阅读理解：请在读完上文后，回答下列问题。
1. Why are forever chemicals used in a wide range of products?
2. What happens if a UK water company finds high-risk levels of PFAS in water?
3. What does the Royal Society of Chemistry think about the current guidelines?
4. True or false? The Royal Society of Chemistry wants to reduce by ten times the levels of PFAS that's deemed acceptable in drinking water.
答案
1. Why are forever chemicals used in a wide range of products?
'Forever chemicals' are used in a wide range of products because of their water-resistant properties.
2. What happens if a UK water company finds high-risk levels of PFAS in water?
Guidelines suggest the water isn't used for drinking purposes.
3. What does the Royal Society of Chemistry think about the current guidelines?
The current guidelines suggest if levels of 47 types of PFAS tested are considered high risk, the water isn't used for drinking purposes. The Royal Society of Chemistry says this still exposes people to medium-risk levels and doesn't cover thousands of other types of PFAS.
4. True or false? The Royal Society of Chemistry wants to reduce by ten times the levels of PFAS that's deemed acceptable in drinking water.
True. It wants tests for all PFAS and a tenfold reduction in the levels deemed acceptable, more in line with the US.
