It has been revealed that the FDA is proposing a ban on some hair straightening products that contain chemicals that are promoting cancer. Check out the latest reports about this below.
FDA to ban hair products that promote cancer
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is contemplating a ban on certain hair straightening products due to their potential health hazards.
The agency claims that these products contain formaldehyde and other formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, such as methylene glycol, which are known to release human carcinogens and can cause hormone-related cancers and other long-term adverse health effects.
The FDA has issued a release stating that they are currently studying the issue and assessing the risks associated with these products.
Breathing in formaldehyde gas can cause short-term and long-term health issues. These can range from irritation of the eyes and throat to coughing, wheezing, or chest pain and even chronic problems like frequent headaches, asthma, and certain cancers.
According to a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health last year, involving almost 33,500 women in the US, using chemical hair straightening products can increase the risk of developing uterine cancer and make it harder to conceive a baby.
Reps. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., and Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, have written a letter to the FDA requesting an investigation of these products, as they could have a disproportionate impact on Black women.
“Chemical hair straighteners and relaxers are primarily marketed to Black women to alter the appearance of hair…” the reps said.
The same notes continued and revealed the following:
“As a result of anti-Black hair sentiment, Black women have been unfairly subjected to scrutiny and forced to navigate the extreme politicization of hair. Hence, generations of Black women have adapted by straightening hair in an attempt to achieve social and economic advancement. Manufactures of chemical straighteners have gained enormous profits, but recent findings unveil potentially significant negative health consequences associated with these products.”
