Two U.S. Congresswomen are calling on the FDA to expedite its proposed ban on hair straighteners containing formaldehyde, a chemical linked to higher cancer rates. Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Shontel Brown, alongside Rep. Nydia Velazquez, have expressed concern over the agency’s repeated delays in finalizing this crucial regulation, originally slated for April 2023, then pushed to July, and now September. The lawmakers are particularly focused on how these delays impact health disparities affecting Black women and other women of color.
Pressley emphasized that many Black women resort to these straightening treatments due to hair discrimination in professional environments. She stated, “If you do a Google search right now of unprofessional work hairstyles, you’ll be besieged by images of Black women.”
This disparity is further highlighted by recent studies indicating that frequent users of hair straighteners face an increased risk of uterine cancer, with one study showing a greater than 50% increased risk among postmenopausal women who use relaxers most often.
The issues at stake go beyond beauty; they reflect broader health inequities that stem from product safety underregulation, affecting communities of color disproportionately. As the FDA reassures that the proposed ban remains a top priority, it faces scrutiny over its response to the urgent health concerns raised by lawmakers and advocates alike.
See “Congresswomen Press FDA on Delayed Proposal to Ban Hair-Straightening Chemicals” (August 29, 2024)
