The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has delayed its proposal to ban formaldehyde in hair straighteners, with the timeline still uncertain.
Jonathan Franklin reports for NPR.
In short:
- The FDA's proposal to ban formaldehyde in hair relaxers, aimed at protecting users from toxic exposure, has been postponed multiple times, now potentially pushed to 2025.
- Formaldehyde exposure in hair products poses significant health risks, including hormone-related cancers, with Black women being particularly vulnerable.
- Over 150 hair-straightening products contain formaldehyde, contradicting claims of being "formaldehyde-free" or "organic."
Key quote:
“This all falls under legislation that is still relatively new, in almost all respects.”
— Allison Stevenson, attorney representing product manufacturers.
Why this matters:
Delays in banning formaldehyde in hair products continue to expose users to serious health risks, including cancer. This issue disproportionately affects Black women, who are the primary users of these products.
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