空气污染危害健康，是世界性的大问题。很多有识之士都在想方设法解决这个问题。最近，瑞典的宜家公司就研发出了能净化空气的窗帘，它能有效改善室内的空气质量。
The curtain that can purify air
by Augusta Pownall
IKEA is set to launch an air-purifying curtain coated with a mineral-based surface that breaks down common pollutants. The surface of the Gunrid curtain is treated with a photocatalyst（光催化剂） mineral that causes air pollution to break down when light shines through it, allowing users to purify the air in their own homes.
IKEA /ˈaɪkiːə/ n. 宜家（瑞典家具公司）
launch /lɔːntʃ/ v. 使上市
purify /ˈpjʊərɪfaɪ/ v. 使净化（由pure加后缀-ify变成动词）
curtain /ˈkɜːt(ə)n/ n. 窗帘
coat /kəʊt/ v. 涂上一层
mineral /ˈmɪn(ə)r(ə)l/ n. 矿物、矿物质
-based /beɪst/ 后缀，意思是“基于…的”
surface /ˈsɜːfɪs/ n. 表面
break down 分解、使分解
pollutant /pəˈluːt(ə)nt/ n. 污染物（由pollute加后缀-ant变成名词）
treat /triːt/ v. （用化学物质）处理
cause /kɔːz/ v. 造成、导致
pollution /pəˈluːʃ(ə)n/ n. 污染（由pollute加后缀-ion变成名词）
The technology works in a similar way to photosynthesis – the natural process that plants and some other organisms use to convert carbon dioxide and water into food, using light.
photosynthesis /ˌfəʊtəʊˈsɪnθəsɪs/ n. 光合作用
process /ˈprəʊses/ n. 过程
organism /ˈɔːɡ(ə)nɪz(ə)m/ n. 生命体、生物
convert /kənˈvɜːt/ v. 转换、转化
carbon /ˈkɑːb(ə)n/ dioxide /daɪˈɒksaɪd/ 二氧化碳
Developed over several years by IKEA in collaboration with universities across Europe and Asia, the purifying technology works with both natural and artificial light.
collaboration /kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/ n. 合作、协作
artificial /ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃ(ə)l/ adj. 人工的、人造的
"For me, it's important to work on products that solve actual problems and are relevant to people," explained IKEA product developer Mauricio Affonso. "Textiles are used across homes, and by enabling a curtain to purify the air, we are creating an affordable and space-saving air purifying solution that also makes the home more beautiful," he continued.
actual /ˈæktʃuəl/ adj. 实际存在的
relevant /ˈreləv(ə)nt/ to 跟…相关
developer /dɪˈveləpə(r)/ v. 开发者（由develop加上表示人的后缀-er）
textile /ˈtekstaɪl/ n. 纺织品
enable /ɪˈneɪb(ə)l/ v. 使得、使能够
affordable /əˈfɔːdəb(ə)l/ adj. 负担得起的（由afford加后缀-able变成形容词）
The curtain will be launched in stores next year, and is designed to reduce the problem of air pollution, which is becoming increasingly acute as more of the global population flock to cities. According to the United Nations, it is expected that 68 per cent of the world's population will live in urban areas by 2050, where the quality of the air is often poor.
increasingly /ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli/ adv. 越来越（由increase的现在分词加后缀-ly变成副词）
acute /əˈkjuːt/ adj. 严重的
global /ˈɡləʊb(ə)l/ adj. 全球的、全世界的
flock /flɒk/ v. 蜂拥、群集
the United Nations 联合国
urban /ˈɜːb(ə)n/ adj. 城市的、都市的
quality /ˈkwɒləti/ n. 质量、品质
poor /pʊə(r)/ adj. 不好的、差的
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that even now, 91 per cent of the world's population live in areas where air pollution exceeds WHO guideline limits. The effects of poor air kill an estimated seven million people worldwide each year, research by the WHO has found.
state /steɪt/ v. 陈述、述说
exceed /ɪkˈsiːd/ v. 超过
guideline /ˈɡaɪdlaɪn/ n. 指南
estimate /ˈestɪmeɪt/ v. 估计、估算
worldwide /wɜːldˈwaɪd/ adv. 世界范围地、全世界地（由world和wide组成）
"Besides enabling people to breathe better air at home, we hope that Gunrid will increase people's awareness of indoor air pollution, inspiring behavioural changes that contribute to a world of clean air," said IKEA head of sustainability Lena Pripp-Kovac. "Gunrid is the first product to use the technology, but the development will give us opportunities for future applications on other textiles."
awareness /əˈweənəs/ n. 知道、意识（由aware加后缀-ness变成名词）
inspire /ɪnˈspaɪə(r)/ v. 启发、鼓舞
behavioural /bɪˈheɪvjərəl/ adj. 行为的（由behaviour加后缀-al变成形容词）
contribute /kənˈtrɪbjuːt/ v. 做贡献
sustainability /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ n. 可持续发展
opportunity /ˌɒpəˈtjuːnəti/ n. 机会
application /ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/ n. 运用、使用
IKEA acknowledges that the problem of polluted air can't be solved by the Gunrid curtain alone, but it could be one step in helping its customers reduce the risks associated with breathing poor quality air. The technology they have developed can be applied to any textile.
acknowledge /əkˈnɒlɪdʒ/ v. 承认
pollute /pəˈluːt/ v. 污染
risk /rɪsk/ n. 风险
associate /əˈsəʊʃieɪt/ v. 联系、关联
apply /əˈplaɪ/ v. 使用
"We know that there is no single solution to solve air pollution. We work long term for positive change, to enable people to live healthier and more sustainable lives," added Pripp-Kovac.
single /ˈsɪŋɡ(ə)l/ adj. 单一的
long term 长期地
positive /ˈpɒzətɪv/ adj. 积极的、好的
sustainable /səˈsteɪnəb(ə)l/ adj. 可持续的、可持续发展的
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