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Toxic Air Is No Reason to Stay Inside for Delhi’s Joggers and Yoga Fans
A few steps into his early-morning run, Purushottam Sahu struggled to breathe. He started coughing. He felt as if he might vomit.
Overhead, a thick brown-gray haze blanketed the sprawling forest park in New Delhi where he and other joggers, yoga enthusiasts and dog owners were keeping to their daily habits despite official warnings against exerting themselves in the toxic air.
Every year in the late fall, as air pollution in the Indian capital climbs to noxious extremes, the government takes emergency measures like closing schools, restricting traffic and banning construction. But for the region’s 30 million inhabitants, life must go on, and for many in this urban expanse of lush parks and morning strolls, that means trying to remain active.
Concentrations of cancer-causing micro-particles that enter the bloodstream through the lungs have soared in recent days to 30 times the danger limit set by the World Health Organization.
Public health experts say that strenuous exercise can mean deeper breathing and more particles inhaled into the lungs, making outdoor activity dangerous and sometimes even fatal, especially for older people and children. But hardly anyone listens, city park officials said.
Mr. Sahu, who was taking his morning run at Sanjay Van, said he had moved to the city for a job 15 years ago and now worked as a software engineer. “Given a choice, I will pack my bags and leave this city without telling my friends,” Mr. Sahu said. “We are stuck for giving good education to our children, without realizing we are also killing them with poisonous air.”
讲解
进入秋冬，印度各城市就开始进入“雾霾季”：焚烧秸秆和燃煤取暖造成了严重的空气污染。而刚刚结束的印度教节日排灯节，民众不顾禁令燃放烟花爆竹，让本就严峻的空气质量雪上加霜。11月以来，印度首都新德里已有多日成为全球空气污染最严重的城市。尽管如此，习惯户外活动的城市居民却忽略专家们给出的建议，执意坚持到城市公园等户外场所进行锻炼。印度的空气污染到底有多严重？民众为何仍然出门运动？一起来听今天的讲解。
Toxic Air Is No Reason to Stay Inside for Delhi’s Joggers and Yoga Fans
对于德里的慢跑和瑜伽爱好者而言，重度空气污染并不会让他们止步室内
A few steps into his early-morning run, Purushottam Sahu struggled to breathe. He started coughing. He felt as if he might vomit.
普鲁索塔姆·萨胡（Purushottam Sahu）晨跑还没跑几步，就开始呼吸困难，咳嗽不停，感觉自己好像要吐了。
Overhead, a thick brown-gray haze blanketed the sprawling forest park in New Delhi where he and other joggers, yoga enthusiasts and dog owners were keeping to their daily habits despite official warnings against exerting themselves in the toxic air.
他的头顶上空，一层浓重的棕灰色雾霾笼罩着新德里这片开阔的森林公园。尽管官方警告过大家不要在空气重度污染时锻炼身体，但萨胡和这里其他的慢跑者、瑜伽爱好者、养狗人士都继续坚持着自己的日常习惯。
Every year in the late fall, as air pollution in the Indian capital climbs to noxious extremes, the government takes emergency measures like closing schools, restricting traffic and banning construction. But for the region’s 30 million inhabitants, life must go on, and for many in this urban expanse of lush parks and morning strolls, that means trying to remain active.
每年深秋，当印度首都的空气污染水平上升至极端有害的程度，政府都会采取紧急措施，比如要求学校停课、实施交通管制、禁止施工等。但对该地区的3000万居民来说，生活还是要继续；对于那些清早在这片满眼葱郁的公园里散步的人而言，活着就意味着必须坚持运动。
Concentrations of cancer-causing micro-particles that enter the bloodstream through the lungs have soared in recent days to 30 times the danger limit set by the World Health Organization.
最近几天，通过肺部进入血液的致癌微粒浓度，已飙升至世界卫生组织所设定危险上限的30倍。
Public health experts say that strenuous exercise can mean deeper breathing and more particles inhaled into the lungs, making outdoor activity dangerous and sometimes even fatal, especially for older people and children. But hardly anyone listens, city park officials said.
公共卫生专家表示，剧烈运动会导致呼吸加深，会有更多颗粒物吸入肺部，使户外活动变得危险，尤其对老年人和儿童来说，有时甚至是致命的。但是，城市公园管理人员称，几乎没人听从这些警告。
Mr. Sahu, who was taking his morning run at Sanjay Van, said he had moved to the city for a job 15 years ago and now worked as a software engineer. “Given a choice, I will pack my bags and leave this city without telling my friends,” Mr. Sahu said. “We are stuck for giving good education to our children, without realizing we are also killing them with poisonous air.”
前面提到的萨胡先生，当时是在桑杰范公园（Sanjay Van）晨跑。他说，他在15年前为了工作搬到这个城市，现在是一名软件工程师。他继续说道：“如果有选择的话，我会悄无声息地打包行李离开这座城市。但为了给孩子提供优质的教育，我们留在这里，却没有意识到有毒的空气正在伤害着他们。”
【内容拓展】
- 普鲁索塔姆·萨胡和他的一双儿女。其女儿患有脑瘫，对于空气污染极为敏感。
生词好句
1.toxic air
重度空气污染（空气质量非常差，含有有害物质的空气）
2.jogger
英 [ˈdʒɒɡə] 美 [ˈdʒɑːɡər]
n. 慢跑者
拓展:
jog v. 慢跑
3.a few steps into …
刚刚开始某种进程，初步尝试了…
拓展:
A few steps into his new role of managing resources, he realised the complexities involved.
在初步尝试管理资源的岗位后，他意识到了其中的复杂性。
4.struggle to do something
努力或挣扎着去做某事
拓展:
Despite extensive efforts, she continued to struggle to grasp the abstract concepts of theoretical physics.
尽管付出了大量努力，她仍然难以理解理论物理学中的抽象概念。
5.vomit
英 [ˈvɒmɪt] 美 [ˈvɑːmɪt]
v. （生理上的、物理上的）呕吐；n. 呕吐物
拓展:
disgusting adj. 令人作呕的
Unable to gain fame through traditional performance, he opted for a radical change, which some found disgusting.
在传统表演方式未能让他成名后，他选择了激进的转变，这在一些人看来是令人厌恶的。
6.overhead
英 [ˈəʊvəhed] 美 [ˈoʊvəhed]
adv. 在上空；在头顶；adj. 笼罩着的；地面以上的
拓展:
The constantly overhead threat of cyber-attacks is something that many companies now face.
很多公司现在都被持续的网络攻击威胁所笼罩。
7.blanket
英 [ˈblæŋkɪt] 美 [ˈblæŋkɪt]
v. 覆盖；（任何形式地）全面覆盖、笼罩；涵盖
拓展:
The new regulations blanket all financial transactions, creating more paperwork for businesses.
新的规定涵盖了所有金融交易，使得企业需要备案更多的文件。
8.sprawling
英 [ˈsprɔːlɪŋ] 美 [ˈsprɑːlɪŋ]
adj. 无序蔓延的；无序扩展的
拓展:
Our company is looking to tap into the sprawling blue ocean market of renewable energy.
我们公司正计划进入无序扩张的可再生能源蓝海市场。
9.keep to
坚持遵循（某种行为模式）
拓展:
近义表达：stick to
10.(the) warnings against
关于不要做某事的提醒、警示
拓展:
近义表达：warn someone against something
The economist warned against underestimating the impact of inflation on the economy.
经济学家警告不要低估通货膨胀对经济的影响。
11.exert oneself
（在某个活动中）高度专注，付出大量努力
拓展:
exert v. 施加（力量、影响）
She exerted herself in exploring the world, constantly learning and growing.
她在探索世界的过程中不断努力，持续学习和成长。
12.climb to noxious extremes
增长至极端有害的水平
拓展:
noxious adj. 有害的，有毒的；有破坏性影响力的
The proliferation of noxious misinformation on social media has become a serious concern.
社交媒体上有害错误信息的泛滥已成为一个严重的问题。
at its finest 某事物正处在最佳状态
The park was blanketed in a radiant expanse of blooming flowers, showcasing nature’s goodness at its finest.
公园被一大片盛放的花朵覆盖，展现了大自然的最极致的美。
13.life must go on
生活还得继续
拓展:
The show must go on.
无论发生什么，都要靠坚持和毅力继续下去。
14.lush
英 [lʌʃ] 美 [lʌʃ]
adj. （植物）丰富繁茂的，生机勃勃的
拓展:
Sanya’s lush tropical landscapes and pristine beaches make it a paradise for nature lovers.
三亚郁郁葱葱的热带风光和原始海滩，使其成为自然爱好者的天堂。
15.concentration
英 [ˌkɒnsnˈtreɪʃn] 美 [ˌkɑːnsnˈtreɪʃn]
n. 浓度
16.数字+times the + 参照物
是…的多少倍
拓展:
The efficacy of the new solar panels is four times the efficiency of traditional models.
这种新型太阳能板的效能是传统型号的四倍。
17.strenuous exercise
高强度、大消耗的运动
拓展:
strenuous adj. 费力的；艰辛的
Her journey through life was strenuous, filled with obstacles, but it forged her into a resilient and wise individual.
她的人生之旅充满艰辛和障碍，但这些经历使她变得更加坚韧和睿智。
18.inhale
英 [ɪnˈheɪl] 美 [ɪnˈheɪl]
v. （本文） 吸入（主要指吸气）；（迅速、贪婪地）吸收（信息和知识）
拓展:
近义表达：breathe in
He inhaled every book on philosophy he could find, eager to satisfy his thirst for knowledge.
他贪婪地阅读每一本能找到的哲学书籍，渴望满足自己对知识的渴求。
19.without telling my friends
（本文）悄无声息地
拓展:
in a heartbeat 立马做某事
If I ever strike it rich, I’ll zip off to the US for some soy milk in a heartbeat.
要是我有钱了，我立马坐飞机去美国买豆浆！
20.be stuck for …
为了…而别无选择
21.without realizing …
对…缺乏考虑
拓展:
She spent her days working hard, without realizing she was missing the children’s childhood.
她埋头苦干，却没意识到正在错过孩子们的童年。
外刊原文
Toxic Air Is No Reason to Stay Inside for Delhi’s Joggers and Yoga Fans
By Sameer Yasir
A few steps into his early-morning run, Purushottam Sahu struggled to breathe. He started coughing. He felt as if he might vomit.
Overhead, a thick brown-gray haze blanketed the sprawling forest park in New Delhi where he and other joggers, yoga enthusiasts and dog owners were keeping to their daily habits despite official warnings against exerting themselves in the toxic air.
“We are all jogging faster toward death,” said Mr. Sahu, 46. “Because we have no other choice.”
Every year in the late fall, as air pollution in the Indian capital climbs to noxious extremes, the government takes emergency measures like closing schools, restricting traffic and banning construction. But for the region’s 30 million inhabitants, life must go on, and for many in this urban expanse of lush parks and morning strolls, that means trying to remain active.
For them, the calculation is that staying inside and skipping exercise — altering routines and forgoing the socializing that comes with them — is worse than going out and breathing poison.
Delhi’s skies began their annual descent into darkness more than a week ago, after farmers in neighboring agrarian states started burning rice stubble. The air pollution problem, which is also related to factors like falling temperatures, vehicle exhaust and coal-fired power plants, has persisted as politicians have approached the issue mostly as something to fight over.
Concentrations of cancer-causing micro-particles that enter the bloodstream through the lungs have soared in recent days to 30 times the danger limit set by the World Health Organization. Athletes in India for the Cricket World Cup have skipped practice sessions because of dense smog. In the past, cricket players have vomited during matches.
Walk through the streets of New Delhi and you can taste the air — a smoky metallic tang, as though you’ve licked ash.
Public health experts say that strenuous exercise can mean deeper breathing and more particles inhaled into the lungs, making outdoor activity dangerous and sometimes even fatal, especially for older people and children. Among the more vulnerable is Mr. Sahu’s 9-year-old son, who follows him on his bicycle every morning.
Doctors say that the number of patients with breathing problems, coughs, or watery and irritated eyes has tripled. To prevent further crowding of the city’s already overburdened hospitals, the authorities have warned residents to avoid outdoor morning and evening walks, running, jogging or any other physical exercise outside.
“It is harmful and dangerous, particularly for elderly people who fill these parks,” said Dr. Ullas Batra, an oncologist at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Center in Delhi.
But hardly anyone listens, city park officials said.
Across the capital region, there are about 18,000 parks and gardens that attract hundreds of thousands of people every morning. In interviews, around a dozen of them said they would prefer their morning exercise even as a widely used index of air quality, known as A.Q.I., hovered around a “hazardous” 500, which is the highest measurement on the scale.
“We will be still running when A.Q.I. will be 1,000, and politicians will be blaming each other for failing to do anything,” said Jaipal Tanwar, an organic farmer, who was walking with his wife, Anita, in the forest park known as Sanjay Van. “We are struggling to breathe now, and we will be choking at that time.”
For years, the city’s fitness enthusiasts have resisted any move by officials to scuttle their morning routine. During the coronavirus pandemic, the authorities deployed police officers as people continued to enter parks during a strict lockdown.
On a recent morning, India Gate, a war memorial built by the British, was invisible amid the plumes of toxic haze. Spread around its flat grounds were colorful yoga mats. Older exercisers engaged in intense conversation on domestic politics while making the rounds, and dog owners wandered aimlessly with their headphones on.
At Lodhi Garden, a botanical sprawl in the heart of New Delhi that draws diplomats, government officials and the city’s wealthy residents, two groups led by trainers practiced yoga between coughing fits. Out of 50 people seen practicing yoga or jogging, only one wore a surgical mask. Many said they didn’t care about air pollution.
“Over the years, we have developed immunity against this dirty air,” said Mahesh Arora, a retired government official, who has been going to Lodhi Garden for 40 years for morning workouts. “We have to activate our body every day.”
Conversations during and after morning exercise sessions are often the only way of socializing for older Delhi residents. Mr. Arora, who lives with his wife in an upscale neighborhood, has two daughters in the United States, and they visit only once a year.
So far, emergency efforts by the government have failed to solve the worsening air pollution problem.
On Tuesday, India’s top court said the choking air amounted to the “murder of young people,” adding that efforts by the region’s government could be best described as “mere optics.”
“It is like starting to dig a well when people around are dying of thirst,” said Meenu Vasishth, a yoga trainer in Lodhi Garden. But she also expressed a common skepticism about the toll.
“I don’t think the bad air kills people, either,” she said. “If that was the case, dead bodies would be everywhere in the city.”
While the effects may not be so visible, in reality they are still widespread. In 2019, India had 1.6 million pollution-related premature deaths, the most of any country, according to a report in The Lancet, a British medical journal. Doctors say that in the past decade, the number of lung cancer cases among nonsmokers has skyrocketed.
Mr. Sahu, who was taking his morning run at Sanjay Van, said he had moved to the city for a job 15 years ago and now worked as a software engineer. His daughter has cerebral palsy and goes out only once a week when the air is bad. They live in a neighborhood where rent is low and there are no trees.
That day, his son, Dipesh, soon felt fatigued as he cycled behind him. Within half an hour, they were both done.
“Given a choice, I will pack my bags and leave this city without telling my friends,” Mr. Sahu said. “We are stuck for giving good education to our children, without realizing we are also killing them with poisonous air.”
But he doesn’t use air purifiers at home, he said, saying they limit mobility. “It is like being in an intensive care unit,” he said. “You can’t live there.”