FDA Must Act to Protect Salon Workers from Formaldehyde
To protect the health of salon workers, WVE, EWG and salon workers from across the nation, filed a citizen petition asking the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take action on this dangerous chemical.
California Bans Formaldehyde from Cosmetics + 23 other toxic chemicals!
AB 2762 bans the use of a number of toxic chemicals in cosmetics and professional salon products by 2025, including the carcinogen formaldehyde.
Environmental Groups Sue FDA to Take Formaldehyde Out of Salons
The Food and Drug Administration has failed to act on dangerous hair straighteners that contain unsafe levels of formaldehyde and pose a significant health hazard to consumers and salon workers, the Environmental Working Group and Women’s Voices for the Earth allege in a motion filed July 28 in federal district court. The motion is part of the groups' lawsuit against the FDA for its failure to act on a six-year-old petition requesting an investigation into popular hair smoothing treatments that are still sold in stores and salons. These straighteners – often known as keratin treatments or by the name of one prominent brand, Brazilian Blowout – contain formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen and potent allergen.
Why We’re Suing the FDA
The FDA has known for over 6 years that salon worker’s health is being harmed by the use of products containing formaldehyde. Enough is enough!
Take Action for Safer Salons
Working long hours for uncertain and often substandard pay, salon workers are also exposed to highly toxic chemicals linked to respiratory ailments, cancer, miscarriage and more.
How job-related illnesses upended these families’ lives
In the news feature in Center for Public Integrity on the dangers of formaldehyde in Brazilian Blowout and other hair straighteners.
33 Toxic Hair Straighteners Under International Recall Still Sold in U.S.
FDA lags in protecting stylists and customers from cancer-causing formaldehyde in products FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2014 NEW YORK —Thirty-three hair-straightening products contain high... Read More
California Superior Court Gives Brazilian Blowout 30 Days to Reformulate or Remove Products from Marketplace
Company must reformulate to meet California’s Air Quality Standards For immediate release: December 3, 2012 Los Angeles—The California Superior Court, County of Los Angeles, issued... Read More
California Attorney General’s Office Says Brazilian Blowout Products Violate California Air Quality Law, Must be Removed from Marketplace
Company violates agreement with State of California For immediate release: October 22, 2012 Los Angeles—The California attorney general is asking a Superior Court in Los... Read More
Toxic Hair Treatments: Lawsuits Settled on Brazilian Blowout; California Attorney General Suit Forces Hazard Warning
Products cause dangerous exposure to carcinogenic formaldehyde For immediate release: January 30, 2012 Los Angeles—Health advocates are ramping up pressure on the U.S. Food and... Read More
