A new study shows that many black and Latina women regularly use cosmetic products that contain cancer-making chemicals-and not just in hair straighteners.
Several lotions, cleaners and other beautiful products marketed to black and Latina women contain formaldehyde and formaldehyde preservatives, based on a study published on Wednesday in a colleague study. Environmental Science and Technology Letters The journal is known for these carcinogenic chemicals, which means they can cause or help cancer.
This study was based on polls filled by 70 black and Latina women in Los Angeles. Each time a woman used a personal care product, she took a photo label and sent to the researchers through a program.
The study shows that fifty -three percent of women used at least one personal care product, referring to the label. These women have also reported daily use of many of these products daily or several times a week.
The study showed that 58 % of hair care products were reported. But women also reported the use of shampoo, lotion, body soap and eyelash adhesive that contained carcinogenicity. Twelve lotions containing the formaldehyde released preservatives that women reported were the same brand: Bath & Body Works.
Independent Contact Bath & Body Works for comment.
“Formaldehyde offers” the irrational risk of human health harm “in current ways,” said the Environmental Protection Agency in January. Previous studies have previously shown that carcinogenicity in products is to help straighten hair or smooth curls, and this has a disproportionate risk for black women and other colored women.
According to the researchers, this week’s study is the first to show that carcinogenicity is in a wide range of products beyond hair straighteners.
“We realized that this is not just about hair straighteners,” said Dr. Robin Dudson, the main author. “These chemicals are in the products we always use, throughout our body. Frequent exposure such as these can cause serious increase and damage.”
“It can be difficult for consumers to have formaldehyde products:” They have long, weird and funny names and usually do not have the word formaldehyde. “
One of the most important chemicals to avoid it is the DMDM Hydantoin Formaldehyde releaser, he said.
Janet Robinson Flint, Executive Director of the Black Women’s Lawyer for Health, called for more government oversight of these products.
“We are trying to do the right thing,” Flint said in a statement.
The European Union and the ten states of the United States have banned or proposed the formaldehyde ban. Even in 2023, the Food and Drug Administration proposed the National ban on formaldehyde and formaldehyde released chemicals, but has not yet been approved.
But Dudson said the best solution is to end these chemicals in personal products.
“Ideally, companies should not put these chemicals in the products in the first place,” he said.
