In This Moment: A Message from WVE’s Acting Executive Director
Dear Friends, In this moment, when so many of us are grieving, reeling, furious, frightened, struggling – or cycling through all of these feelings, I... Read More
Support Grows for Global Treaty Amendment to Ban Advertising, Display, Sales, and Offering of Sales of Mercury Skin Lighteners
Media Contacts: Micaela E. Martinez, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, micaela.martinez@weact.org, +1-917-597-4282 Michael Bender, Zero Mercury Working Group, mercurypolicy@aol.com, +1-802-917-8222 Astrid Williams, Black Women for... Read More
New Ingredient Transparency Requirements Expose that Salon Professionals Continue to Be Put at Risk by Industry
A new report released by health and justice organizations, Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), Black Women for Wellness, and the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative (CHNSC), spotlights how new ingredient disclosure requirements for professional salon products are providing improved and vital information about chemical exposure from the use of these products. The report, Exposed: Ingredients in Salon Products & Salon Worker Health and Safety, calls attention to significant changes the industry has made in increasing ingredient transparency as a result of new laws. It also points to chemicals of concern that, despite years of documented links to adverse health impacts, continue to be widely used in professional nail and hair products. Specifically, the report reveals over 30 hazardous ingredients in professional salon products only recently disclosed on product labels.
Campaign For Safe Cosmetics Publishes First-Ever List of Top Black-Owned Beauty Brands & Non-toxic Product Database
Released during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Non-Toxic Black Beauty Project focuses on specifically supporting Black women’s health because Black women face the highest breast cancer mortality rate of any racial or ethnic group in America. Beauty products marketed to Black women often contain the most toxic cosmetics ingredients, including chemicals linked to cancer. In fact, Black women who regularly dye their hair have a 60% increased risk of breast cancer, and those who use chemical hair straighteners are 30% more likely to develop the disease. By uplifting leading non-toxic Black-owned beauty brands and connecting Black women with products they can trust, CSC aims to combat toxic health disparities to help prevent breast cancer and other diseases.
New Transparency Requirements Reveal Ingredient Complexity and Chemical Exposure from Menstrual Products
A new report released by health and justice organizations, Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), Clean & Healthy New York, Sierra Club (Atlantic Chapter) and WE ACT for Environmental Justice, spotlights how new ingredient disclosure requirements for menstrual products are providing improved and vital information about chemical exposure from the use of these products. The report, "What’s in Your Period Product? An investigation of ingredients disclosed on product labels", calls attention to significant changes the industry has made in increasing ingredient transparency, as well as chemicals of concern that, until now, were kept hidden from people who use these products.
Testing Reaffirms the Need for Improved Safety Standards for Vaginal-Use Products
New laboratory research has demonstrated that some intimate care products currently on the market can significantly inhibit the growth of lactobacilli, which are essential bacteria for a healthy vagina. An upset or imbalance of lactobacilli are linked to increased risks of bacterial vaginosis (or BV). BV is incredibly common — it is estimated that at least 75% of women in the U.S. will experience episodes of vaginitis at some point during their life.
This new testing joins the growing evidence linking the use of intimate care products to vaginal infections, and also raises questions on if the products many people are using to “self-treat” BV symptoms, may in fact be worsening the problem.
The Nation’s First Menstrual Products Disclosure Law Goes into Effect in New York
Companies selling tampons, pads, menstrual cups or period underwear in New York State are now required to disclose all intentionally added ingredients on product labels.
In 2019, New York became the first state in the nation to require period product makers to disclose ingredients by passing A.164-A/S.2387, introduced by Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) and Senator Roxanne J. Persaud (D-District 19). The law went into effect this October. There is no federal requirement to disclose, and without requirements, regulations or clear standards, only a few companies were voluntarily providing limited ingredient information. While passed in New York, this law sets a new precedent for period product ingredient disclosure.
New Federal Bill Package Will Make Safer Beauty Available to All
This suite of federal safer beauty bills addresses gaping holes in cosmetic safety by banning the worst chemicals; requiring fragrance disclosure; protecting women of color... Read More
Salon workers join environmental health groups to petition FDA to ban formaldehyde in hair straighteners and treatments
WASHINGTON – Salon workers from around the U.S. today joined the Environmental Working Group and Women’s Voices for the Earth to petition the Food and Drug Administration to ban dangerous hair straighteners that contain formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen and potent allergen. The petition argues that its presence in hair-straightening and -smoothing treatments means that under the federal Drug and Cosmetics Act, such products are “adulterated” and should be banned.
New Ingredient Transparency Reveals Issue of Toxic Chemicals in Cleaning Products is Widespread
A new report by environmental health organization, Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), spotlights how toxic chemicals in cleaning products add to the health disparities and disproportionate burdens many people face from occupational exposure, pollutants in their environments, as well as social, racial and gender injustices. By accessing new ingredient information, the report calls attention to some of the most problematic and pervasive ingredients used in household and institutional cleaners, that have, until recently, been hidden from the general public.
