FDA considers ban on hair-straightening products linked to health risks

admin 2023年12月7日

Beginner

Health & Lifestyle, Health & Lifestyle - Beginner

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。

Have you ever used a hair straightening product?
Is hair straightening a popular treatment in your country?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。

certain /SUR-tn/

[determiner] – particular but not named or described
She needed to buy a certain type of tool for the job, but she couldn’t remember its name.

pressing /PREH-suhng/

[adjective] – refers to products or substances used in the process of straightening hair
She applied a pressing agent to her hair before using the flat iron to achieve a sleek, straight look.

cancer /KAN-ser/

[noun] – a serious disease that is caused when cells in the body grow in a way that is uncontrolled and not normal, killing normal cells and often causing death
Early detection and treatment are crucial in increasing the chances of survival for individuals diagnosed with cancer.

inquiry /in-KWAHYUHR-ee/

[noun] – (the process of asking) a question
He conducted a thorough inquiry into the origins of the ancient artifact.

increase /in-KREES/

[verb] – to (make something) become larger in amount or size
The company plans to increase its production capacity by investing in new machinery.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。

The FDA might ban certain hair-straightening products like relaxers and pressing agents due to health concerns about substances like formaldehyde. These are used in about half of products for Black women, but only 7% for White women. They could pose a higher cancer risk, especially for Black and Latina women. Representatives Pressley and Brown want an FDA inquiry, but making a ban may be slow.

The FDA is considering a new rule to regulate hair straighteners, which are often used by Black women, due to concerns about potential health risks. A study found that certain straighteners increased the risk of cancer in women. Representatives Pressley and Brown believe the FDA’s rule is beneficial, especially for Black women who may have health issues. Some users, like Rhonda Terrell and Jennifer Mitchell, sued companies for using straighteners that caused their cancer, but companies like L’Oreal maintain their products are safe. The FDA’s new rule is a significant step in addressing these risks.

True or False:

Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.

文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。

The FDA has already implemented a ban on certain hair-straightening products.
A study found that certain straighteners increased the risk of cancer in women.
The use of hair straighteners is equally common among Black and White women.
Some users, like Rhonda Terrell and Jennifer Mitchell, sued companies for using straighteners that caused their cancer.
L’Oreal has admitted that its products pose a health risk.

Fill in the blanks:

Choose the correct word from the table then fill in the blanks.

適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。

certain

pressing

cancer

inquiry

increase

Recent advances in medical research have led to promising therapies for combating various types of __________.
He approached the teacher after class with an __________ about the upcoming exam.
He asked me to bring a __________ book from the shelf, but he didn’t specify which one.
Regular exercise can help __________ your overall fitness and improve your health.
The new __________ formula proved to be more effective in achieving a smooth finish compared to previous products.