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Canada Reports Ban on Brazilian Blowout Solution.

Health Canada

October 7, 2010

Health Canada is warning Canadians that Brazilian Blowout Solution manufactured by Brazilian Blowout of California has been found to contain unacceptable levels of formaldehyde.  The Brazilian Blowout hair smoothing treatment is known to be available at salons across Canada.

Health Canada has received complaints of burning eyes, nose, and throat, breathing difficulties, and one report of hair loss associated with use of the product.

Testing conducted by Health Canada found that the Brazilian Blowout Solution contains 12% formaldehyde.  Formaldehyde is permitted in cosmetics at less than 0.2% when used as a preservative.  Formaldehyde is a known irritant, sensitizer, and is linked to cancer in humans when inhaled chronically over a long period of time.  Health Canada believes that the reactions are being caused by formaldehyde becoming aerosolized during the blow drying and flat ironing stages of the treatment.  Any procedure containing formaldehyde above the allowable limits places clients and stylists at increased risk.

Read more.

7 Responses

  1. Erin Switalski, WVE Executive Director

    CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CEASES DISTRIBUTION OF BRAZILIAN BLOWOUT
    High-formaldehyde hair products still in wide use in U.S. due to weak federal laws

    OTTAWA–On Sept. 29, Oregon Health and Science University released lab results finding that two popular hair smoothing products manufactured by Brazilian Blowout contained dangerously high levels of formaldehyde (ranging from 4.85 to 10.6 percent), a suspected carcinogen. Health Canada, the department of the government of Canada responsible for national public health, immediately conducted their own tests, finding even higher levels, of 12 percent formaldehyde. Health Canada is working with the exclusive Canadian distributor to stop distribution of this product to salons in Canada, and is also informing consumers of the health risks associated with this product. The Food and Drug Administration, which regulates personal care products in the U.S., has done nothing. Read the Canadian government’s strong warning here: http://ow.ly/2QKVr

    Statement from Women’s Voices for the Earth:

    “The Canadian government is able to—and finds it warranted—to recall hair products with dangerously high levels of formaldehyde, while the U.S. government sits on its hands. The Brazilian Blowout incident shines a light on the flaws in U.S. consumer protection law, which leaves U.S. consumers unprotected from dangerous chemicals and potentially serious, long-term health impacts. Passage of the Safe Cosmetics Act is a common sense fix to our weak regulations. It would ensure the health and wellbeing of consumers and workers, while restoring faith in the safety of U.S. products.” Erin Thompson Switalski, Executive Director, Women’s Voices for the Earth

  2. Sorry for my bad english. Thank you so much for your good post. Your post helped me in my college assignment, If you can provide me more details please email me.

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