SICK BUILDINGS
Background Info.
► SBS（Sick
Building Syndrome），也称作“大楼
综合症” ► 所有的大楼都或多或少存在着空气质量的问题，以 及温度问题：尤其在每年季节转换期间，对那么宽 敞的密封型大楼，更是一种挑战。通常环保人员可 根据室内气质量调查、巡察办公场所周边、查找可 能存在的污染源和评估、现场采样步骤，做到防患 于未然，杜绝大楼综合症的肆虐。 ► 环保专家认为：根据3/4的病例推测，病源乃霉菌、 真菌等微生物引起。也有化学性的，由地毯、家具、 花卉植物，或者是抽烟、复印机、清洁剂和杀虫剂 等引起。解决的方法也不难，如排放陈水，换装新 的蓄水池，降低温度。但有时也得花费精力和成本， 如检修通风系统，换地毯等。
►A
wealthy American businessman has just bought a small insurance company in Hong Kong. He has not visited it yet. After he bought it, he heard that the staff were often sick. He then sent Kate Fong, his personal assistant, to inspect the office and give him a brief report on the possible health hazards.
Health Hazards at Solid Insurance Ltd.
►
I have investigated the possible health hazards in the office of Solid Insurance Ltd., and I have also discussed the subject with the present manager of the company, Mr C K Lee, and most members of staff.
General situation
►The
office is situated on the fifth floor of a building which was completed in 1975. Access is via elevator only. The office is rented from Profitable Properties Limited(PPL).
Ventilation
►
Whoever I talked to among the office workers, they complained of headaches, tiredness and respiratory problems. The poor ventilation is probably responsible. All windows in the office are sealed. We should consider replacing some of these with windows which can be opened.
All ventilation is provided by the building’s central air-conditioning system. At present this provides a mixture of 20% fresh air and 80% recycled air. A higher percentage of fresh air is desirable. In addition, the main air intake is at ground level, facing a busy main road. This should be re-sited to the roof. There is no regular cleaning programme for the system, although this ought to be done at least once a year to ensure that dirt and dangerous bacteria do not pollute the system. We will need to raise these points with PPL, who may object because of the expense of making changes.
Smoking
►
Seven of the forty staff, including Mr C K Lee, are regular smokers. The previous management did not have a no-smoking policy. The majority of staff would prefer to have such a policy. We should consider introducing one immediately. This is the easiest problem to solve.
Equipment
►
The photocopying machines, which are frequently in use, are situated in a small room with poor ventilation. I believe these machines can produce ozone, a toxic chemical. We need to take expert advice on this problem.
►
Most of the staff sit in front of desktop computers all day, and have a break only at lunch time. They have old chairs which are uncomfortable and too low. Many complain of eye strain and back problems. We need to purchase modern, adjustable chairs and introduce a system of regular breaks.
Water system
►
The men’s and women’s wash-rooms are maintained in a hygienic state. However, several staff have been absent recently with stomach illnesses. A possible reason for this may be the drinking water from the pantry, which does not seem to be pure. The main water tanks on the roof have never been cleaned, according to Mr C K Lee. We should get an expert to test the water quality.
Noise
►
The office has a high noise-level. This results in an increase in stress. However, the situation here could be improved by fitting sound-proof tiles to the ceiling, since much of the noise comes from a plastics factory on the floor above.
Lighting
►
There are old lights on the ceiling. Wherever you sit, they reflect on the computer screens. If we are changing the ceiling tiles, it would be a god chance to install a better lighting system.
Conclusion
►
The workers’ illnesses are genuine and staff morale is low. Mr C K Lee’s failure to deal with any of these problems is very regrettable.
Guess the meaning from the contexts
Ventilation A equipment B Staff Inspect Hazard Seal Object Replace Strain Tank Toxic A equipment B A A A A A A look into danger stick substance ex change worry B B B B B B B B letting air in and out group of workers ex amine health shut be against change starvation a heavy military vehicle dangerous C noise D fresh air
C management D belongings C C C C C C test safety fix support locate tiredness D D D D D D require condition open goal put again thirst
a water A container A disorderly
C pool C safe
D sink D poisonous
2. Guess the meanings from word-forms
► Desirable
► Adjustable ► Regrettable ► Intake ► Re-site ► Sound-proof ► Desk-top
+ able ► Adjust + able ► Regret +able ► Take in ► Change the place
► Water-proof ► Special/excellent
► Desire
(adj.) ► Percentage
► Expert
in
► Percent
3. Words with flexible meanings in contexts
The present A gift manager Discuss the A a course subject Be being the A responsible cause of Be desirable A attractive These points
B B B B
A purpose
B
current time a grammar term in charge of worth having or doing main ideas; opinions
C previous C experimenter C sensible C willing
D display D a topic D guilty D anxious
C development an individual action
D places
A noan official insurance smoking A B plan contract policy Introduce a make A B develop system known
C
D a rule D adopt
C bring
Present
present manager ► At present ► A birthday present ► All the people present
► The ► Adj. ► N. ► N. ► Adj.
current Current time Gift Attending
subject
many subjects are you studying this semester? ►We need some male subjects for a psychology experiment. ►We are subject to the law of the land. ►The subjects covered in this chapter are exercise and nutrition.
►How
change the
different)
subject (=start talking about something
Collocations
get onto a
subject (=start talking about something) get off a subject (=stop talking about something) keep/stay off a subject (=not talk about something) drop the subject (=stop talking about something) raise a subject (=mention a subject and start talking about
it)
subject of something (=talking about something) subject of discussion/debate also
subject for discussion/debate touchy subject (=something people are sensitive about)
on the
responsible
can leave the children with Billy he's very responsible. ►The floods were responsible for over a hundred deaths. ►Police believe that the same man is responsible for three other murders in the area. ►The airline is legally responsible for the safety of its passengers.
►You
desirable
is desirable that you should have some familiarity with computers. ►The ability to speak a foreign language is highly desirable.
►It
points
► I'm in a hurry, so come to the point.
► She had got to the point where she felt that she could
not take any more. ► There are three important points we must bear in mind. ► The accident happened at the point where the A15 joins the M1. ► Sometimes she had to remind herself of his good points. ► Heat the water until it reaches the boiling point. ► (boiling point /freezing point /melting point)
policy
latest incident may help to change government policy. ►The company has adopted a strict nosmoking policy. ►The annual premium(保险费) on my policy is 3000 yuan.
►This
Introduce
store have introduced a new range of food for children. ► The grey squirrel was introduced into Britain from North America. ► The peace agreement has introduced a feeling of optimism here.
► -------to ► The
make something new start to happen or exist in a situation
genuine
genuine friend will not desert you in time of difficulty. ►She seems genuine but can I trust her? ►Is this bracelet genuine gold? ►The reforms are motivated by a genuine concern for the disabled. ►Viewed from the outside, the company seemed genuine.
►A
►这枚戒指是纯金打造。
►This ring is made of genuine gold.
►诚为先。
►Honesty is the best policy.
►他三言两语就切入正题。
►He got to the point in a few words.
►原子能应该为了和平的目的而使用，
这是合乎情理的。
►It is desirable that atomic energy should be
used for peaceful purpose.
► 通过引进新技术，工厂降低了生产成本。
► By
introducing the new technique, the factory cut down its production cost. ► 实验表明，空调是这种疾病的元凶。 ► Experiments show that air-conditioners are responsible for this disease. ► 在场观众无不感动。 ► The audience present are all moved. ► 写作文的时候要避免跑题。 ► When writing a composition, do avoid keeping off the topic.
S + V…, V-ing…
►In addition, the main air intake is at ground
level, facing a busy main road. ►His teammates are sitting in a snack bar, chatting with a pretty girl.
Task 3: sentence structure
Whoever I talked to among the office workers, they complained of headaches, tiredness and respiratory problems. ► No matter who I talked to among the office workers, they complained of headaches, tiredness and respiratory problems. ► Wherever you sit, they reflect on the computer screens. ► No matter where you sit, they reflect on the computer screens.
►
►
► ► ► ►
However hard you try to persuade me, I have made up my mind. Whichever team wins the game, they will a free tour around New Zealand. Wherever you go, whatever you do, I’ll be here waiting for you. I will follow you, wherever you go. I will stay with him whether he is poor or rich.
►1. ►2. ►3.
►4.
►5. ►6. ►7. ►8. ►9. ►10.
hazards inspect Access via elevator respiratory sealed bacteria majority Ozone
► 11. ► 12. ► 13. ► 14. ► 15. ► 16. ► 17. ► 18. ► 19. ► 20. ► 21.
toxic strain hygienic adjustable pantry tanks tiles ventilation pure morale genuine
22. Staff 23. Situate 24. Investigate 25. Purchase
26. Object
27. Recycle 28. Percentage
►1. ►2. ►3. ►4. ►5. ►6.
►7.
►8. ►9. ►10.
is situated on the fifth floor complained of At present In addition ensure that take expert advice on in a hygienic state results in The majority of