Indoor Environmental Pollution

　　(Written by Dale; Level: Middle)

　　Mrs. Wang: Did you hear that my neighbor in #201 just had her son’s blood tested for lead and they found 3 times the permitted level?

　　Mrs. Zhang: Wow. Where did all that lead come from?

　　Mrs. Wang: The doctors said it was probably from old paint in their apartment. I guess we all need to watch out.

　　Mrs. Zhang: I’ve been hearing a lot about the chemicals used in new furniture and rugs and how they are bad for our health. Until now, I just assumed that if you could buy it, it was probably safe to use. Maybe I’ve been too trusting. Buyer beware, I guess?

　　Mrs. Wang: I guess it makes sense that the manufacturers might use things that are cheap or easy to work with even if there was some chance it might not be good for the consumer.

　　Mrs. Zhang: Sure. And I’ve been worried for a long time about the coal dust that comes off the coal-piles in the winter. They dump it off the trucks near my apartment. Maybe it’s time I got one of those air filter units for our home.

　　Mrs. Wang: Isn’t it sad that we have to be so careful and worry about the air we breathe? It wasn’t that way when I was a child.

　　Mrs. Zhang: Don’t be too sure. I’m sure there’s more pollution now, but I think scientists are also testing for more things too. I know this though: I’ll take reasonable steps to protect my family, but I’m not going to worry. Life is too short.