英语博客：Analysis Time - A Chemical Ban.

 　　Some state lawmakers are pushing to ban(1) potentially(2) cancer-causing(3) chemicals from children's products and sofas. The two flame retardant(4) chemicals are known as TCEP and TDCCP and are found in car seats, strollers(5), changing pads(6), other children's products, and furniture. Manufacturers often add the chemicals to foam¹(7), plastics and fabrics² to prevent fires and to slow down fires if they have already started. The chemical industry says that flame retardants have been useful in reducing fires and saving lives. However, supporters(8) of the bill say there are better ways to protect against fires without the chemicals.

　　1. 'To ban' is the similar in meaning to 'to forbid', 'to stop', or 'to not allow'.

　　a. Certain weapons are banned for civilian³ use.

　　b. Chewing gum is banned from the schools.

　　2. 'Potentially' means 'having the power to' or 'possibly'. It is a powerful word to use in the right context.

　　a. The new flu virus could potentially affect all of us.

　　b. The recession could potentially cause the cost of flights to double.

　　3. '-causing' can be added to many nouns, especially names of diseases.

　　a. The street party had lots of conflict-causing elements; I'm not surprised there was a riot.

　　b. Cholera-causing bacteria were found in the drinking water.

　　4. 'Flame retardant' is a set phrase used for particular chemicals that reduce the risk of fire. 'Retardant' means 'stopping' or 'slowing'.

　　a. Often, kids' pajamas⁴ are flame retardant.

　　b. Sofas also have a flame retardant chemical added to them.

　　5. 'Stroller' is the American word for a 'push chair' used to transport a baby or youngster while the parent is walking. It's basically a seat with wheels and handlebars at the top. The word is taken from the verb 'to stroll' which means to walk slowly.

　　a. It was such a lovely day that I put the baby in the stroller and walked in the park.

　　b. We need some equipment for the new baby, including a stroller.

　　6. 'A changing pad' is another piece of equipment or furniture used when a person has a baby. It is like a long, flat, waterproof⁵ pillow that you lay the baby on in order to change its diaper. The word 'pad' is used for many things, such as: a seat pad, a panty pad, a pad of paper. Also 'padding' is similar to a material filling, such as in a cushion. It can be used figuratively.

　　a. The changing pad needs to be disinfected after each use.

　　b. He's on a diet. He said that he has five pounds of padding on his stomach that he wants to lose.

　　7. 'Foam' is an aerated⁶, bubbly substance that is either made out of rubber or plastic material, or an organic substance such as egg, toothpaste, or sea water. The padding in furniture is often made out of 'foam'.

　　a. The foam padding in the sofa has gone flat; it needs to be replaced.

　　b. There is a lot of foam on the waves today.

　　8. 'Supporters' are people who agree with a person, a group, or a cause. A supporter is also someone who helps financially.

　　a. The supporters of the presidential candidate filled the stadium.

　　b. It was the supporters of the Committee of Arts and Culture who paid for the statue.

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1 foam   

v./n.泡沫，起泡沫

参考例句：

• The glass of beer was mostly foam.这杯啤酒大部分是泡沫。
• The surface of the water is full of foam.水面都是泡沫。

2 fabrics   

织物( fabric的名词复数 )； 布； 构造； （建筑物的）结构（如墙、地面、屋顶）：质地

参考例句：

• cotton fabrics and synthetics 棉织物与合成织物
• The fabrics are merchandised through a network of dealers. 通过经销网点销售纺织品。

3 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

4 pajamas   

n.睡衣裤

参考例句：

• At bedtime,I take off my clothes and put on my pajamas.睡觉时，我脱去衣服，换上睡衣。
• He was wearing striped pajamas.他穿着带条纹的睡衣裤。

5 waterproof   

n.防水材料；adj.防水的；v.使...能防水

参考例句：

• My mother bought me a waterproof watch.我妈妈给我买了一块防水手表。
• All the electronics are housed in a waterproof box.所有电子设备都储放在一个防水盒中。

6 aerated   

v.使暴露于空气中，使充满气体( aerate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Blood is aerated in the lungs. 血液在肺中与氧结合。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• The rooting medium should be moist, well aerated, and sterile. 生根的基质应当是湿润，透气良好和消过毒的。 来自辞典例句