House Lawmakers Urge FDA To Ban Formaldehyde In Hair Straighteners

Petition By House Lawmakers To FDA Comes As Numerous Studies Link Certain Hair Straightening Chemicals To Cancer

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (September 30, 2024) – Three members of the House of Representatives are urging the Food and Drug Administration to ban formaldehyde in hair straighteners.

The members were identified as Reps. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Shontel Brown (D-Ohio) and Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.). Their call comes at the same time that a growing body of evidence shows that formaldehyde can lead to cancer and other health issues.

But formaldehyde is not the only potentially hazardous chemical contained in popular chemical hair straighteners.

According to one study published in the National Institutes of Health, “several chemicals that have been found in straighteners (such as parabens, bisphenol A, metals, and formaldehyde) could be contributing to the increased uterine cancer risk observed.”

The FDA was initially set to ban formaldehyde, but it has delayed that guidance for many months at this point.

Liability For Illnesses Caused By Hair Straighteners

In addition to being put in hair products, formaldehyde has a number of other commercial uses. According to the NIH, “Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling, flammable chemical that is produced industrially and used in building materials such as particleboard, plywood, and other pressed-wood products. In addition, it is commonly used as a fungicide, germicide, and disinfectant, and as a preservative in mortuaries and medical laboratories.” It is a dangerous chemical associated with many health problems.

• Respiratory illnesses
• Uterine cancer
• Leukemia
• Neurological effects
• Immune system effects

Companies that create beauty products have a legal obligation to ensure that they are reasonably safe. This requires that they are compliant with all regulations by the appropriate governing body. This might be by the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the Food and Drug Administration. If a company sells a product with dangerous cancer-causing chemicals, this could form the basis of a product liability claim. It is important that evidence is properly preserved after developing an illness linked to formaldehyde exposure.

• Medical records should be collected.
• Victims should continue to seek whatever treatments they need.
• The source of the exposure should be determined.
• An experienced product liability attorney should be contacted.

It has been known for quite some time that formaldehyde is a dangerous chemical. Despite this, many companies that sell chemical hair straighteners have continued to use it in their products. It is important that people who are harmed by formaldehyde exposure understand that they do have legal options. A product liability attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.

Getting Legal Help For Illnesses Caused By Hair Straighteners

We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our best wishes to all of the people who have been harmed by chemical hair straighteners. The FDA needs to do the right thing and stop delaying its decision to ban formaldehyde. It is deeply unfortunate that they have already waited this long.

Have you or someone that you care about been harmed by exposure to formaldehyde from a chemical hair straightener? You may have legal recourse. Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that victims get the support and justice that they deserve under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney, we may be able to help. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.