Context:

A study involving Black and Latina women in Los Angeles found that more than half of the participants regularly used beauty products containing formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, revealing the widespread presence of hazardous chemicals in personal-care items. The research highlighted the disproportionate exposure of these communities to formaldehyde, particularly through products like hair straighteners, raising concerns about associated health risks and cancer disparities. Despite formaldehyde being recognized as a carcinogen, government regulatory action remains lacking, with the FDA yet to implement proposed bans on its use in cosmetics. The study underscores the influence of societal beauty standards and the necessity for regulatory oversight to protect consumers from harmful substances. Calls for ingredient transparency and state-level regulatory measures are emphasized, as existing state laws show varying degrees of effectiveness in reducing formaldehyde usage in beauty products.

Dive Deeper:

• The study, published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, involved 64 women who documented the beauty products they used over a week, revealing that 53% of them used products with formaldehyde, a chemical linked to cancer.

• Researchers focused on Black and Latina women due to their higher exposure to formaldehyde compared to white women, often through products like hair straighteners, which may contribute to cancer health disparities.

• Lead author Robin Dodson highlighted the concern over daily exposure to carcinogens in beauty products, noting the pervasive use of formaldehyde as a preservative despite its health risks.

• The European Union banned formaldehyde in cosmetics in 2009, while at least 12 US states have proposed or enacted laws to regulate its use, though the effectiveness of these laws in protecting consumers is not yet clear.

• Study participants used an average of 17 different beauty products daily, reflecting societal pressures on women to adhere to certain beauty standards, which can lead to increased exposure to harmful chemicals.

• Tracey Woodruff and Janette Robinson Flint emphasized the need for governmental oversight and regulation of personal-care products to prevent health risks associated with beauty norms and chemical exposure.

• Formaldehyde-releasing agents are often listed under complex chemical names on product labels, making it difficult for consumers to identify and avoid them, underscoring the need for clearer labeling and regulatory action.