It doesn’t kill germs better than cooler water, but turning tap temperatures high, the US burns carbon equal to the emissions of Barbados.
People typically wash their hands seven times a day in the United States, but they do it at a far higher temperature than is necessary to kill germs, a new study says. The energy waste is equivalent to the fuel use of a small country.
It’s cold and flu season, when many people are concerned about avoiding germs. But forget what you think you know about hand washing, say researchers at Vanderbilt University. Chances are good that how you clean up is not helping you stay healthy; it is helping to make the planet sick.
Amanda R. Carrico, a research assistant professor at the Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and Environment in Tennessee, told National Geographic that hand washing is often “a case where people act in ways that they think are in their best interest, but they in fact have inaccurate beliefs or outdated perceptions.”
Carrico said, “It’s certainly true that heat kills bacteria, but if you were going to use hot water to kill them it would have to be way too hot for you to tolerate.”
She explained that boiling water, 212°F (99.98°C), is sometimes used to kill germs - for example, to clean drinking water that might be polluted with germs. But “hot” water for hand washing is generally within 104°F to 131°F (40°C to 55°C.) At the high end of that range, heat could kill some germs, but the sustained contact that would be required would scald the skin.
Carrico said that after a review of the scientific literature, her team found “no evidence that using hot water that a person could stand would have any benefit in killing bacteria.” Even water as cold as 40°F (4.4°C) appeared to reduce bacteria as well as hotter water, if hands were scrubbed, rinsed(冲洗) and dried properly.
In fact, she noted that hot water can often have an unfavorable effect on hygiene. “Warmer water can harm the skin and affect the protective layer on the outside, which can cause it to be less resistant to bacteria,” said Carrico.
Using hot water to wash hands is therefore unnecessary, as well as wasteful, Carrico said, particularly when it comes to the environment. According to her research, people use warm or hot water 64 percent of the time when they wash their hands. Using that number, Carrico’s team calculated a significant impact on the planet.
“Although the choice of water temperature during a single hand wash may appear minor, when multiplied by the nearly 800 billion hand washes performed by Americans each year, this practice results in more than 6 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions annually,” she said.
That’s roughly equal to the emissions of two coal-fired power plants, or 1,250, 000 passenger vehicles, over the course of a year. It’s higher than the greenhouse gas emissions of small countries like El Salvador or Armenia, and is about equivalent to the emissions of Barbados. If all US citizens washed their hands in cooler water, it would be like eliminating the energy-related carbon emissions of 299,700 US homes, or the total annual emissions from the US zinc or lead industries.
The researchers found that close to 70 percent of respondents said they believe that using hot water is more effective than warm, room temperature, or cold water, despite a lack of evidence backing that up, said Carrico. Her study noted research that showed a “strong cognitive(认知的) connection” between water temperature and hygiene in both the United States and Western Europe,compared to other countries, like Japan, where hot water is associated more with comfort than with health.
The researchers published their results in the July 2013 issue of International Journal of Consumer Studies. They recommended washing with water that is at a “comfortable” temperature, which they noted may be warmer in cold months and cooler in hot ones.
1.What does the writer mainly focus on when writing this passage?
A.Whether hot water helps kill germs effectively in hand washing.
B.How hot water contributes to the serious worsening of our planet.
C.Why the consumption of hot water is unnecessary and wasteful.
D.What the advantages and disadvantages of using hot water are.
2.The underlined word scald in paragraph six probably means .
A.burn B.improve C.soften D.wrinkle
3.According to the passage, all the following share roughly the same CO2 emissions yearly EXCEPT .
A.two coal-fired power plants B.US zinc or lead industries
C.1,250, 000 passenger vehicles D.El Salvador or Armenia
4.Which of the following is WRONG according to the passage?
A.Boiling water at 212°F (99.98°C) works effectively in killing germs.
B.Warmer water can damage the protective layer of the outside skin.
C.There is much difference between cold water and hot water in reducing bacteria.
D.Americans have inaccurate beliefs or outdated perceptions in hand washing.
高三英语阅读选择中等难度题
It doesn’t kill germs better than cooler water, but turning tap temperatures high, the US burns carbon equal to the emissions of Barbados.
People typically wash their hands seven times a day in the United States, but they do it at a far higher temperature than is necessary to kill germs, a new study says. The energy waste is equivalent to the fuel use of a small country.
It’s cold and flu season, when many people are concerned about avoiding germs. But forget what you think you know about hand washing, say researchers at Vanderbilt University. Chances are good that how you clean up is not helping you stay healthy; it is helping to make the planet sick.
Amanda R. Carrico, a research assistant professor at the Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and Environment in Tennessee, told National Geographic that hand washing is often “a case where people act in ways that they think are in their best interest, but they in fact have inaccurate beliefs or outdated perceptions.”
Carrico said, “It’s certainly true that heat kills bacteria, but if you were going to use hot water to kill them it would have to be way too hot for you to tolerate.”
She explained that boiling water, 212°F (99.98°C), is sometimes used to kill germs — for example, to clean drinking water that might be polluted with germs. But “hot” water for hand washing is generally within 104°F to 131°F (40°C to 55°C). At the high end of that range, heat could kill some germs, but the sustained contact that would be required would scald the skin.
Carrico said that after a review of the scientific literature, her team found “no evidence that using hot water that a person could stand would have any benefit in killing bacteria.” Even water as cold as 40°F (4.4°C) appeared to reduce bacteria as well as hotter water, if hands were scrubbed, rinsed (冲洗) and dried properly.
In fact, she noted that hot water can often have an unfavorable effect on hygiene. “Warmer water can harm the skin and affect the protective layer on the outside, which can cause it to be less resistant to bacteria,” said Carrico.
Using hot water to wash hands is therefore unnecessary, as well as wasteful, Carrico said, particularly when it comes to the environment. According to her research, people use warm or hot water 64 percent of the time when they wash their hands. Using that number, Carrico’s team calculated a significant impact on the planet.
“Although the choice of water temperature during a single hand wash may appear minor, when multiplied by the nearly 800 billion hand washes performed by Americans each year, this practice results in more than 6 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions annually,” she said.
That’s roughly equal to the emissions of two coal-fired power plants, or 1,250,000 passenger vehicles, over the course of a year. It’s higher than the greenhouse gas emissions of small countries like EI Salvador or Armenia, and is about equivalent to the emissions of Barbados. If all US citizens washed their hands in cooler water, it would be like eliminating the energy-related carbon emissions of 299,700 US homes, or the total annual emissions from the US zinc or lead industries.
The researchers found that close to 70 percent of respondents said they believe that using hot water is more effective than warm, room temperature, or cold water, despite a lack of evidence backing that up, said Carrico. Her study noted research that showed a “strong cognitive (认知的) connection” between water temperature and hygiene in both the United States and Western Europe, compared to other countries, like Japan, where hot water is associated more with comfort than with health.
The researchers published their results in the July 2013 issue of International Journal of Consumer Studies. They recommended washing with water that is at a “comfortable” temperature, which they noted may be warmer in cold months and cooler in hot ones.
1.What does the writer mainly focus on when writing this passage?
A.Whether hot water helps kill germs effectively in hand washing.
B.How hot water contributes to the serious worsening of our planet.
C.Why the consumption of hot water is unnecessary and wasteful.
D.What the advantages and disadvantages of using hot water are.
2.The underlined word scald in paragraph six probably means_________.
A.burn B.improve
C.soften D.wrinkle
3.According to the passage, all the following share roughly the same CO2 emissions yearly EXCEPT______.
A.two coal-fired power plants B.US zinc or lead industries
C.1,250,000 passenger vehicles D.EI Salvador or Armenia
4.Which of the following is WRONG according to the passage?
A.Boiling water at 212°F (99.98°C) works effectively in killing germs.
B.Warmer water can damage the protective layer of the outside skin.
C.There is much difference between cold water and hot water in reducing bacteria.
D.Americans have inaccurate beliefs or outdated perceptions in hand washing.
5.Which of the following is the standard of a comfortable water temperature for washing hands?
A.Warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
B.Between 104°F to 131°F (40°C to 55°C).
C.Below 104°F (40°C) or above 131°F (55°C).
D.Warm enough to kill germs and clean up.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Sound travels very well through water-much better, in fact, than it does through air. So it shouldn’t be surprising that many ocean animals make noise. They use sound to communicate and hunt. As biologist Brandon Southall says, “Their whole world is related to sound.”
Dolphins whistle, organizing hunts. Lovesick whales sing so loudly they can be heard hundreds of miles away. But these days they aren’t the only ones sounding off. They have more and more competition from human machines.
Every day, thousands of huge container ships sail across the world’s oceans. On top of the engine noise, the ships’ propeller (螺旋桨) make a loud noise all the time. All that can make it hard for ocean animals trying to listen out for friends, or dinner. Animals swimming nearby a ship can be deafened or even killed.
Underwater construction can also be dangerously loud. When construction machines called pile drivers were used during repairs to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, dead fish appeared.
Geologist (地质学家) pound on the seafloor too, trying to find oil wells and map Earth’s surface. The results are useful lo science, but all that hammering probably gives ocean animal a headache.
As people realize how important sound is to ocean animals, they are looking for ways to reduce human noise. Ships could get quieter just by slowing down. Engineers are also trying to find quieter propeller ships.
Now some companies are using a simple invention called a bubble curtain, which makes sound waves passing through it lose energy and gel quieter. It seems to work - when bubble curtains were fixed on the San Francisco bridge project fish deaths dropped.
We still have a lot to learn about sound in the oceans, but together we can help keep the sea a quieter place.
1.Dolphins and whales arc mentioned to show .
A. sound travels very well through water
B. they are surprisingly noisy in the sea
C. the ocean is filled with sound
D. ocean noise is a big problem
2.What is happening to ocean animals these days?
A. Human noise is causing danger to their safety.
B. There is less food in the ocean for them.
C. They are being killed in large numbers.
D. They are losing their hearing.
3.During the first repair to the bridge, some fish .
A. started to die B. were attracted to it
C. got quiet underwater D. suffered from headaches
4.Bubble curtains are used to .
A. research on fishes underwater B. build the San Francisco bridge
C. stop noisy machines working D. reduce construction noise
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Through the reform, the economic situation of China ______ much better than it used to be.
A. turned into B. turned off C. turned to D. turned out
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
Through the reform, the economic situation of China ______ much better than it used to be.
A.turned into B.turned off C.turned to D.turned out
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
– Sorry, but I must be off now. Better check everything again.
– Ok. ________.
A. It doesn’t matter B. Don’t mention it
C. Catch you later D. Everything is fine
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
It's only 4 hours flying time from Sydney, but a world away. What better place to rest than a country where the only place people hurry is on the football field and things are done in "Fiji time"?
Viti Levu is Fiji’s the largest island and here you'll find the capital Suva and the international airport at Nadi Vatoa, on the other hand, is a tiny island in the farthest part of Fiji. Then there are 331 other islands, many of them with places to stay.
With less than a million people living on islands, you'll never feel crowded. And with a climate(气候)that changes only for five degrees between seasons, there’s never a bad time to come. From cities to villages, from mountains to beaches, from water sports to wooden artworks, Fiji can give you more adventures and special experiences than you could find almost any where in the world.
Whenever you come , wherever you go ,you’re sure to see some unforgettable events , from war dances to religious songs, from market days to religious days. It's not just staged for tourists; it's still a part of everyday life in Fiji. And any one of us can enjoy Fiji's spirit by being part of the traditional sharing of yaqona—a drink made from the root of a Fiji plant
So why not join us for the experience of a lifetime?
1.Where is the international airport of Fiji?
A. In Suva B. In Sydney C. On the island of Vatoa D. On the island of Viti Levu
2.What does the text tell us about Fiji people?
A. They invented “Fiji time” for visitors
B. They stick to a traditional way of life
C. They like to travel from place to place
D. They love taking adventures abroad
3. One of the things that make Fiji a tourist attraction is
A. its comfortable hotels
B. its good weather all year round
C. its exciting football matches
D. its religious beliefs
4.Where can we most probably read this text?
A. In a personal diary B. In a science report
C. In a travel magazine D. In a geography textbook
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
It's only 4 hours flying time from Sydney, but a world away. What better place to rest than a country where the only place people hurry is on the football field and things are done in "Fiji time"?
Viti Lev-Great Fiji-is the largest island. Here you'll find the capital Suva and the international airport at Nadi Vatoa, on the other hand, is a tiny island in the farthest part of Hiji. Then there are 331 other islands, many of them with places to stay.
With less than a million people living on islands, you'll never feel crowded And with a climate(气候)that changes only for five degrees between seasons, there’s never a bad time to come.
From cities to villages, from mountains to beaches, from water sports to wooden artworks, Fiji can give you more adventures and special experiences than you could find almost any where in the world.
Whenever you come , wherever you go ,you’re sure to see some unforgettable events , From war dances to religious (宗教的) songs. From market days to religious days. It's not just staged for tourists; it's still a part of everyday life in Fiji And any one of us can enjoy Fiji's spirit by being part of the traditional (传统的) sharing of yaqona—a drink made from the root of a Fiji plant
So why not join us for the experience of a lifetime?
1.Where is the international airport of Fiji?
A. In Suva B. In Sydney C. On the island of Vatoa D. On the island of Viti Levu
2.What does the text tell us about Fijian people?
A. They invented “Fiji time” for visitors
B. They stick to a traditional way of lift
C. They like to travel from place to place
D. They love taking adventures abroad
3.One of the things that make Fiji a tourist attraction is
A. its comfortable hotels
B. its good weather all year round
C. its exciting football matches
D. its religious beliefs
4.Where can we most probably read this text?
A. In a personal diary B. In a science report
C. In a travel magazine D. In a geography textbook
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
It’s only 4 hours flying time from Sydney, but a world away. What better place to rest than a country where the only place people hurry is on the football field and things are done in “Fiji time”?
Viti Levu—Great Fiji—is the largest island. Here you’ll find the capital Suva and the international airport at Nadi. Vatoa, on the other hand, is a tiny island in the farthest part of Fiji. Then there are 331 other islands, many of them with places to stay.
With less than a million people living on islands, you’ll never feel crowded. And with a climate(气候)that changes only for five degrees between seasons, there’s never a bad time to come.
From cities to villages, from mountains to beaches, from water sports to wooden artworks, Fiji can give you more adventures and special experiences than you could find almost anywhere in the world.
Whenever you come, wherever you go, you’re sure to see some unforgettable events, from war dances to religious(宗教的)songs, from market days to religious days. It’s not just staged for tourists; it’s still a part of everyday life in Fiji. And any one of us can enjoy Fiji’s spirit by being part of the traditional(传统的)sharing of yaqona—a drink made from the root of a Fiji plant.
So why not join us for the experience of a lifetime?
1. Where is the international airport of Fiji?
A. In Suva B. In Sydney
C. On the island of Vatoa D. On the island of Viti Levu
2. What does the text tell us about Fijian people?
A. They invented “Fiji time” for visitors.
B. They stick to a traditional way of life.
C. They like to travel from place to place.
D. They love taking adventures abroad.
3. One of the things that make Fiji a tourist attraction is .
A. its comfortable hotels
B. its good weather all year round
C. its exciting football matches
D. its religious beliefs
4.Where can we most probably read this text?
A. In a personal diary
B. In a science report
C. In a travel magazine
D. In a geography textbook
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
It’s only 4 hours flying time from Sydney, but a world away. What better place to rest than a country where the only place people hurry is on the football field and things are done in “Fiji time”?
Viti Levu – Great Fiji – is the largest island. Here you’ll find the capital Suva and the international airport at Nadi. Vatoa, on the other hand, is a tiny island in the farthest part of Fiji. Then there are 331 other islands, many of them with places to stay.
Whit less than a million people living on islands, you’ll never feel crowded. And with a climate(气候) that changes only for five degrees between seasons, there’s never a bad time to come.
From cities to villages, from mountains to beaches, from water sports to wooden artworks, Fiji can give you more adventures and special experiences than you could find almost anywhere in the world.
Whenever you come, wherever you go, you’re sure to see some unforgettable events. From war dances to religious(宗教的) songs. From market days to religious days. It’s not just staged for tourists; it’s still a part of everyday life in Fiji. And any one of us can enjoy Fiji’s spirit by being part of the traditional(传统的) sharing of yaqona, a drink made from the root of a Fiji plant.
So why not join us for the experience of a life me?
1.Where is the international airport of Fiji?
A. In Suva.
B. In Sydney.
C. On the island of Vatoa.
D. On the island of Viti Levu.
2.What does the text tell us about Fijian people?
A. They invented “Fiji time” for visitors.
B. They stick to a traditional way of life.
C. They like to travel from place to place.
D. They love taking adventures abroad.
3.One of the things that make Fiji a tourist attraction is _______.
A. it’s comfortable hotels
B. its good weather all year round
C. its exciting football matches
D. its religious beliefs
4.Where can we most probably read this text?
A. In a personal diary B. In a science report
C. In a travel magazine D. In a geography textbook
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
- Jerry, sorry to have kept you wait.
- It doesn’t matter, but I ________ you ________ later than me.
A. didn’t think, would be B. am thinking, will be
C. thought, had been D. never thought, would be
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析