In April, a dozen years after a federal agency classified formaldehyde a human carcinogen, the Food and Drug Administration is tentatively scheduled to unveil a proposal to consider banning the chemical in hair-straightening products.
The move comes at a time of rising alarm among researchers over the health effects of hair straighteners, products widely used by and heavily marketed to Black women. But advocates and scientists say the proposed regulation would do far too little, in addition to being far too late.
“The fact that formaldehyde is still allowed in hair care products is mind-blowing to me,” said Linda Birnbaum, a former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program. “I don’t know what we’re waiting for.”
On supporting science journalism
If you’re enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Asked why it’s taking so long to get the issue on the FDA’s agenda, Namandjé Bumpus, the regulatory agency’s chief scientist, told KFF Health News: “I think primarily the science has progressed.”
“Also,” she added, “the agency is always balancing multiple priorities. It is a priority for us now.”
The FDA’s glacial response to concerns about formaldehyde and other hazardous chemicals in hair straighteners partly reflects the agency’s limited powers when it comes to cosmetics and personal-care products, according to Lynn Goldman, a former assistant administrator for toxic substances at the Environmental Protection Agency. Under the law, she said, the FDA must consider all chemical ingredients “innocent until proven guilty.”
Critics say it also points to broader problems. “It’s a clear example of failure in public health protection,” said David Andrews, a senior scientist at the…
Read the full article here
