A proposed ban on formaldehyde in chemical hair straightening merchandise—linked to most cancers and different well being dangers—has hit a roadblock after an government order from President Donald Trump paused all new laws.
The U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) has been contemplating banning formaldehyde and substances that launch formaldehyde when heated from chemical hair straighteners. This comes after years of research linking the chemical to cancers disproportionately affecting Black ladies.
Initially scheduled to finalize the choice by April 2024, the FDA then moved its goal date to September 2024.
The delay has sparked concern amongst well being advocates and organizations just like the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which has pushed for a formaldehyde ban in hair merchandise since 2008.
However momentum pale throughout Trump’s first administration in 2017, and the brand new government order now locations the proposal on maintain as soon as once more.
A number of states, together with Maryland, California and Washington, have already banned formaldehyde in hair merchandise, and Benesh hopes extra states will comply with go well with within the absence of federal regulation. She expressed some optimism that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee to guide the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Companies, might prioritize the difficulty.
In the meantime, hundreds of girls have joined a federal class motion lawsuit in opposition to the makers of chemical hair relaxers, claiming the merchandise have induced cancers of the uterus and breast in addition to different well being issues.
A federal decide has set deadlines for transferring the case ahead later this yr.
The FDA just isn’t required by U.S. regulation to approve beauty merchandise or their substances earlier than they’re bought, aside from sure components.
Extra info:
Marketing campaign for Secure Cosmetics (CSC) has extra on formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.
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