英语文摘：Stadium noise could be a problem: S African WC boss

JOHANNESBURG, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Noise levels at stadiums during next month's FIFA World Cup in South Africa could affect the safety of spectators, Danny Jordaan, chief executive of South Africa's World Cup local organizing committee, said on Thursday.

Jordaan also said that too much noise could affect the ability of security personnel to communicate with each other.

"You must look at the circumstances in the stadiums," Jordaan told the media at Ellis Park, one of Johannesburg's two FIFA World Cup stadiums.

"If there is an evacuation order will everyone hear that order? " the South African Press Association (SAPA) quoted Jordaan as saying.

Although he did not mention the vuvuzela by name, there have been concerns about the noise levels produced by thousands of these plastic trumpets beloved by South African football fans.

In February the South African Medical Journal (SAMJ) published an article demonstrating that the vuvuzela exceeds the permissible occupational noise exposure levels in South Africa.

It said the vuvuzela poses a significant recreational risk of noise-induced hearing loss.

The SAMJ recommended preventive measures such as public awareness and hearing protection should be prioritized.

"The vuvuzela has reached iconic status and should be kept as part of the South African soccer culture, but measures to protect spectators' hearing must be considered of paramount importance."

On Thursday, Jordaan expressed concern that noise might interfere with such things as the singing of the various countries ' national anthems.