空氣污染是南亞預期壽命縮短的罪魁禍首

A new environmental report says rising air pollution across South Asia can cut life expectancy（平均壽命） rates by up to five years. South Asia includes the world’s most polluted countries， including India， Bangladesh， Nepal and Pakistan. The area accounts for more than half of the total lives lost worldwide to pollution， the Energy Policy Institute said in its latest Air Quality Life Index.

The institute is part of the University of Chicago. The report blames the air pollution dangers on fast industrialization（工業(yè)化） across South Asia. Researchers estimate the area currently has particle（顆粒） pollution rates that are 50 percent higher than at the start of the century.

Individuals living in Bangladesh， the world’s most polluted country， stand to lose 6.8 years of life on average per person， the report found. This compares to 3.6 months in the United States. The information is based on satellite data used to estimate the effects of increased airborne fine particles on life expectancy. The report said India has been responsible for about 59 percent of the world’s increase in pollution since 2013. In densely populated New Delhi， the world’s most polluted large city， the average life expectancy had dropped by more than 10 years.

The report called for cuts in worldwide levels of lung-harming airborne particles to levels sought by the World Health Organization （WHO）. If these cuts were reached， it could raise average life expectancy rates by 2.3 years. A person living in Pakistan would gain 3.9 years from meeting WHO pollution guidelines， the report added. And in Nepal， a person would live 4.6 years longer if the guidelines were met.

The researchers noted it’s amazing that China has made a difference by reducing pollution by 42.3 percent between 2013 and 2021. The researchers added this shows the need for governments to produce and share air quality data to help reduce unfairness in getting tools to fight pollution.

（材料選自VOA，有刪改）

1. Which country may suffer from serious air pollution from paragraph 1？

A. Spain. B. Australia. C. India. D. England.

2. What can be inferred according to the report？

A. People living in the US lose 6.8 years of life per person.

B. The life expectancy in New Delhi had increased quickly.

C. People in Nepal can live 4.6 years longer with air pollution rising.

D. People can benefit from cutting worldwide levels of harmful particles.

3. What did the researchers think of the pollution reduced in China？

A. Objective. B. Positive.

C. Doubtful. D. Negative.

4. What did the report call on government to do？

A. To share air quality data.

B. To try to set goals for the future.

C. To concentrate on the serious pollution.

D. To have a deep understanding of the harm.

1.C。（剩余484字）