VOA慢速英语2020 强生公司将停止在美国和加拿大售卖爽身粉

Company J and J to Stop Selling Talcum Powder in US, Canada

American company Johnson & Johnson is ending sales of its popular talcum powder in the U.S. and Canada.The product is called Johnsons Baby Powder.Its demand has decreased in recent years as a result of thousands of lawsuits¹ claiming it has caused cancer.

美国强生公司将停止在美国国内和加拿大售卖广受欢迎的含滑石粉的爽身粉。这个产品名为强生婴儿爽身粉。近几年来该产品需求有所减少，因为数千起诉讼案件称其致癌。

The company, also known as J&J, is the worlds biggest maker² of health care products.It said the product will still be sold outside the U.S. and Canada.

强生公司是世界上最大的健康护理产品生产商。它表示该爽身粉在美国和加拿大以外的国家会继续售卖。

J&J said decreasing demand was mainly caused by changes in consumer buying behavior "fueled by misinformation around the safety of the product."It also blamed major advertising³ campaigns launched⁴ by law firms.

强生公司表示需求下降的主要原因是消费者购买行为“被产品安全相关的错误信息刺激”产生的变化。它还把需求下降归咎于律师事务所发起的大型广告营销活动。

The company faces about 19,400 lawsuits claiming its talcum powder caused users⁵ to develop some forms of cancer.

强生公司面临着19400起诉讼，称它生产的爽身粉导致用户患上某种癌症。 

Of the cases that went to trial, J&J has had 12 wins, 15 losses and 7 mistrials.All of the losses have either been overturned⁶ on appeal or are still under appeal.

在所有审理的案件中，强生公司赢了12起，输了15起，还有7场未决审判。所有输掉的案件不是在上诉时被推翻就是仍处在上诉阶段。

The company claims the talcum powder is safe and doesnt cause cancer.

强生公司宣称爽身粉很安全，并不致癌。 

"Whether or not the powder actually causes cancer, people became hesitant to use the product,"Erik Gordon said in an email to The Associated Press.He is a professor at the University of Michigans business school.

“不论爽身粉是否真的致癌，人们在使用前都会犹豫，”埃里克·戈登在给美联社的邮件中写道。他是密歇根大学商学院的教授。

J&J representative Kimberly Montagnino said the company does not plan to settle any of the lawsuits and will continue to strongly defend the product.

强生公司代表金伯利·蒙塔尼诺说，公司不打算对任何的诉讼进行和解，而且会继续大力维护这款产品。

The New Brunswick, New Jersey⁷, companysaid the baby powder decision came as it moves to discontinue about 100 consumer health products.It said its aim is to push products that are in high demand during the coronavirus crisis⁸ and permit effective social distancing in its factories.

强生公司位于新泽西州的新布仑兹维克，该公司表示停售婴儿爽身粉的决定是因为它停产了大约100种保健消费产品。它的目的是在冠状病毒危机期间主推需求高的产品，并且保证工厂内的有效社交距离。

J&J will still sell its popular cornstarch-based baby powder in North America.

强生会继续在北美售卖受欢迎的以玉米淀粉为主的婴儿爽身粉。 

Im Alice Bryant.

爱丽丝·布莱恩特为您报道。 

1 lawsuits   

n.诉讼( lawsuit的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Lawsuits involving property rights and farming and grazing rights increased markedly. 涉及财产权，耕作与放牧权的诉讼案件显著地增加。 来自辞典例句
• I've lost and won more lawsuits than any man in England. 全英国的人算我官司打得最多，赢的也多，输的也多。 来自辞典例句

2 maker   

n.制造者，制造商

参考例句：

• He is a trouble maker，You must be distant with him.他是个捣蛋鬼，你不要跟他在一起。
• A cabinet maker must be a master craftsman.家具木工必须是技艺高超的手艺人。

3 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

4 launched   

v.发射( launch的过去式和过去分词 )；[计算机]开始（应用程序）；发动；开展（活动、计划等）

参考例句：

• He launched a bitter diatribe against the younger generation. 他对年轻一代发起了猛烈的抨击。
• The product was launched amid much fanfare worldwide. 这个产品在世界各地隆重推出。

5 users   

用户，使用者( user的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The new software will prove a boon to Internet users. 这种新软件将会对互联网用户大有益处。
• Ramps should be provided for wheelchair users. 应该给轮椅使用者提供坡道。

6 overturned   

adj. 倒转的 动词overturn的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• The car skidded and overturned. 汽车打滑翻倒了。
• When a bird's nest is overturned, no egg can remain intact. 覆巢之下无完卵。

7 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

8 crisis   

n.危机，危急关头，决定性时刻，关键阶段

参考例句：

• He had proved that he could be relied on in a crisis.他已表明，在紧要关头他是可以信赖的。
• The topic today centers about the crisis in the Middle East.今天课题的中心是中东危机。