A study by Stockholm University and ETH Zurich scientists found that all rainwater on Earth is unsafe to drink due to the levels of PFAS (全氟烷基物质), or poisonous chemicals. These PFAS or poisonous chemicals are becoming a part of a future reality that humans must, unfortunately, learn to live with. PFAS were first found in shampoo, packaging, and even makeup but have begun to spread into our Earth. A professor at Stockholm University and lead author of the study, Ian Cousins noted, “There is nowhere on Earth where-the rain would be safer to drink, according to the measurements that we have taken.”

Using their study’s data, Cousins and his team illustrated that chemical levels in rainwater from remote areas are unsafe and above the US Environmental Protection. Agency’s (EPA) drinking water guidelines. Within this study, they took rainwater samples, from extremely remote areas like Antarctica or the Tibetan plateau. Although these areas are originally known as being remote and untouched, their PFAS levels are around 14 times higher than the US EPA guidelines.

PFAS have been associated with a range of serious health problems including cancer, childhood behavioral and learning problems, immune system disorders, and high cholesterol (胆固醇): Cousins continued by saying, “Based on the latest US guidelines for PFOA (全氟辛酸) in drinking water, rainwater everywhere would be judged unsafe to drink. Although in the industrial world we don’t often drink rainwater, many people around the world expect it to be safe to drink and it supplies many of our drinking water sources.”

Managing Director of the Food Packaging Forum, Dr Jane Muncke, said, “The vast amounts that it will cost to reduce PFAS in drinking water to levels that are safe based on current scientific understanding need to be paid by the industries producing and using these chemicals. The time to act is now.”

【小题1】Which of the following is true about PFAS?

A．They were initially found in rainwater.

B．Their levels affect the security of rainwater.

C．They are mainly present in makeup products.

D．They will be completely removed in the future.

【小题2】Why did researchers take rainwater samples from areas like Antarctica?

A．To reveal rainwater is rare in these areas.

B．To cut down the spending on rainwater study.

C．To confirm the widespread presence of PFAS.

D．To measure the quality of rainwater in these areas.

【小题3】What does the author want to convey in the third paragraph?

A．It’s time to stop people from drinking rainwater.

B．It’s necessary to improve the safety of rainwater.

C．It’s promising to expand. Drinking water sources.

D．I’s tough to address PFAS-related health issues.

【小题4】Which statement will Dr Jane Muncke probably agree with?

A．Scientists should be devoted to reducing PFAS.

B．Public efforts are required to obtain safe drinking water.

C．Some industries should bear the costs of reducing PFAS.

D．The chemical industry is responsible for the unsafety of PFAS.