1.   The rate of inflation had increased to alarming levels.

2.   Backyards in some neighborhoods are saturated with alarming levels of arsenic and lead.

3.   After the smoke intensity reached alarming levels, officials ordered Mexico City into an environmental alert Friday, urging residents to stay inside.

4.   Perhaps, but remember that much of the current spending is being done with credit, raising an already alarming level of indebtedness.

5.   Teen pregnancy and drug use continue to remain at alarming levels.

6.   The number of concussions sustained by NHL players has reached an alarming level.

7.   The results, the groups said, revealed alarming levels of heavy metals that corresponded directly with metals most commonly found in computers.

8.   The warning was issued as violence between Israelis and Palestinians reached alarming levels of ferocity, but Ridge said the fighting there did not lead to the warning.

9.   When dollar reserves dwindled to alarming levels, Mexico was forced to let the peso float free.

10.   Other crimes remain at alarming levels, including drug-trafficking.