FDA’s Proposed Ban on Formaldehyde in Hair Products Paused by Federal Regulations
Studies Link Formaldehyde Exposure to Health Risks, Especially Among Black Women
A proposed ban on formaldehyde in hair straightening products has been put on hold following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, pausing all federal regulations. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had previously indicated it would decide by April 2024 whether to ban chemical hair straighteners that contain formaldehyde or release formaldehyde when heated.
While not all chemical hair relaxers contain formaldehyde, many include ingredients that can release the harmful chemical when heated, according to the FDA. Over the years, an increasing body of research has linked formaldehyde exposure to cancers, particularly those that disproportionately affect Black women, raising significant health concerns.
The FDA had initially planned to implement the ban by April 2024, but the timeline has since been delayed multiple times, with new target dates set for July and September 2024. However, these target dates are not firm deadlines, as clarified by the FDA. The agency has yet to comment on the impact of Trump’s recent executive order halting regulatory actions.
Under current U.S. law, the FDA is not required to approve cosmetic products or their ingredients, excluding food additives, before they are sold on the market.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG), an advocacy organization focused on toxic chemicals, has been pushing the FDA to ban formaldehyde in hair products since 2008. Monica Benesh, EWG’s vice president of government affairs, recalled that the FDA was once close to implementing a ban in 2016, but progress stalled after the Trump administration took office in 2017.
Several states, including Maryland, California, and Washington, have already enacted bans on formaldehyde in hair products. Benesh noted that other states may follow suit in the absence of federal regulation. However, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services under the current administration, there may be renewed attention on the issue.
Research, including studies of over 30,000 Black women aged 35 to 74, has revealed a higher prevalence of uterine cancer among women who used chemical hair relaxers more than twice a year for over five years. Thousands of women have also filed a federal class action lawsuit against hair relaxer manufacturers, claiming that these products have caused uterine cancer, breast cancer, and other health complications. A federal judge has set deadlines later this year to advance the lawsuit.
As the debate over the safety of chemical hair straighteners continues, the public and policymakers are closely watching how the regulatory process unfolds.