12.14.16
EWG and Women’s Voices for the Earth filed a complaint in US District Court against the Food and Drug Administration and its “failure to act” on keratin hair straightening treatments, according to the group.
The summons will be filed today and a judge may also be assigned as soon as this afternoon.
High levels of formaldehyde make many keratin hair straightening treatments a serious health threat to both clients and salon workers. These treatments – often known by the popular brand name Brazilian Blowout – involve liquids applied to hair in the salon, which are then heated using blow dryers and straightening irons. The high temperatures of these hair styling tools cause the release of formaldehyde from the liquids into the air.
In 2011, EWG filed a citizen petition, or formal request, that the agency investigate the products and take appropriate action. After five years, the FDA has not issued a final response to that letter, nor has it taken any significant action against makers of the products.
Other states and nations, including California, Oregon, Canada, France and Ireland, have taken action against products such as Brazilian Blowout by removing products with dangerous levels of formaldehyde from the shelves, said EWG in a press statement.
The summons will be filed today and a judge may also be assigned as soon as this afternoon.
High levels of formaldehyde make many keratin hair straightening treatments a serious health threat to both clients and salon workers. These treatments – often known by the popular brand name Brazilian Blowout – involve liquids applied to hair in the salon, which are then heated using blow dryers and straightening irons. The high temperatures of these hair styling tools cause the release of formaldehyde from the liquids into the air.
In 2011, EWG filed a citizen petition, or formal request, that the agency investigate the products and take appropriate action. After five years, the FDA has not issued a final response to that letter, nor has it taken any significant action against makers of the products.
Other states and nations, including California, Oregon, Canada, France and Ireland, have taken action against products such as Brazilian Blowout by removing products with dangerous levels of formaldehyde from the shelves, said EWG in a press statement.
