A proposed federal ban on formaldehyde in hair straightening products has been delayed following an executive order by former President Donald Trump that paused all federal regulations. The FDA had planned to decide by April 2024 whether to prohibit formaldehyde and ingredients that release the chemical when heated, but this timeline was pushed back to September 2024. These delays are not uncommon, as target dates listed on the Unified Agenda, a government regulatory site, are considered estimates, not fixed deadlines.
Formaldehyde has long been linked to cancers disproportionately affecting Black women, who are the primary users of chemical hair relaxers. While not all hair straightening products contain formaldehyde, many include ingredients that release it under heat, according to the FDA.
Despite the growing body of research highlighting these dangers, federal action has stalled. Melanie Benesh, vice president of government affairs at the Environmental Working Group, stated, "Near the end of 2016, the FDA was prepared to ban it. There were scientists on the record saying, 'let's just ban the ingredient.'" However, these efforts diminished with Trump's administration in 2017.
Several states, including Maryland, California, and Washington, have banned formaldehyde in hair products, and more may follow suit without federal action. Benesh noted that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's nominee to lead the Health and Human Services Department, has expressed some interest in the issue.
The risks associated with hair relaxers are substantial. A study involving over 30,000 Black women aged 35 to 74 revealed a higher prevalence of uterine cancer among those who used hair relaxers frequently for over five years. Thousands of women have joined a federal class-action lawsuit against chemical hair relaxer manufacturers, claiming links to uterine and breast cancer and other health issues. A federal judge is expected to set deadlines later this year to advance the case.
For now, the fight for a federal ban on formaldehyde remains in limbo, leaving consumers and advocates to push for action on state levels or through litigation.
Link: NBCNews
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