Formaldehyde in straightening products? CA and OR say "No Way!"

California Attorney General (and Governor elect) Jerry Brown has filed suit against the maker of the "Brazilian Blowout" -- an expensive treatment which straightens hair.

The suit alleges that the company did not warn customers or workers who come in contact with the product that it contains high levels of formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is a carcinogenic chemical that is an extreme irritant to the eyes, nose and throat.

California's action comes after the state of Oregon issued an alert last month to hair salons warning them of high levels of formaldehyde associated with the Brazilian Blowout.

“Although it’s not clear whether the regulatory level of airborne exposure would be exceeded based on our results, it is clear that the levels are high enough to cause concern ... And it is certainly clear that the amount of formaldehyde in many of these products is high enough to trigger the requirements of OSHA’s formaldehyde rules.”

- Michael Wood, Oregon OSHA administrator, to The Portlander.

The discovery of high levels of formaldehyde in styling products started on the grassroots level with one hair stylist in Oregon. Molly Scrutton, stylist in Portland, noticed that her throat was hurting, her chest was aching, and she had her first-ever nosebleed after giving approximately 20 Brazilian Blowouts for customers. She set out to find out what chemicals were in the product and called the manufacturer in Southern California who would not tell her what was contained in the chemical she was breathing and touching every day.

She then asked a researcher to test the product. The researcher found that the solution, which claimed to be formaldehyde-free, contained approximately 5% to 11% formaldehyde. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that products containing more than 0.1% formaldehyde are labeled by manufacturers. And Brazilian Blowout contained at least 50 times that level with no warning.

As a result of her actions, a warning has been issued in Oregon, a lawsuit has been filed in California, and the product has been pulled from the shelves completely in Canada. We say "Brava, Molly!" and are grateful to the states taking action.

Now, where is the federal government in all of this? Sometimes we sound like a broken record, but our families deserve to know what's in our cosmetics. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should be regulating products such as the Brazilian Blowout and informing us when they contain toxic chemicals.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a coalition which is dedicated to protecting the health of consumers and workers who come into contact with cosmetics and personal care products, is asking you to send a letter to the FDA asking for a voluntary recall of Brazilian Blowout products.

Strong oversight will protect workers like Molly and the countless others who are in contact with these cancer-causing chemicals on a daily basis. They deserve to know what chemicals are contained in their products.

Further Reading:
After hairstylist becomes suspicious of Brazilian Blowout, tests to find formaldehyde. The Oregonian, 10/17/2010.
State files lawsuit over hair-smoothing treatment. Fresno Bee, 11/11/10.