state agencies and congress weigh in on the dangerous chemicals used in hair straigHtener products

Call hair straightener lawyer Timothy L. Miles if you used products for straightened hair and developed  hair straightener side effects

Previous research suggested that hair straightener products and other products for straightened hair are associated with an increased risk of certain hormone-related cancers, breast and ovarian cancers being the most notable.  Now, a new study by in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI) has linked the use of hair straightener products to an increased risk in uterine cancer, and Black females may be affected at a higher rate due to their higher usage of hair straightener products the study noted. 

In addition to the stance of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), discussed in a previous legal guide, state agencies and Congress are voicing their concerns over the dangerous chemicals used in hair straightener products. 

If you used hair straightener products or other products for straightened hair and subsequently were diagnosed with uterine cancer or breast cancer or suffered any other hair straightener side effects from hair straightener products, contact hair straightener lawyer Timothy L. Miles to see if you may be eligible for a hair straightener lawsuit and possibly entitled to substantial compensation.

Read on to learn more about what some state agencies and even Congress have stated about the dangers of chemicals used in hair straightener products.

STATE AGENCIES WARN AGAINST THE DANGERS OF CHEMICALS USED IN HAIR STRAIGHTENER PRODUCTS

Contact hair straightener lawyer Timothy L. Miles to see if you are eligible for a hair straightener lawsuit

In addition to the FDA, numerous other state agencies have issued warnings about the toxic chemicals used in hair straightener products. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) stated it is concerned about the potential for adverse health impacts from exposure to chemicals used in hair straightener products. 


​The DTSC said it had evaluated these chemicals, including including formaldehyde, cyclosiloxanes, parabens, sodium hydroxide, diethanolamine, phthalates, benzophenone-3, and triclosan.

The agency stated some of these chemicals used in hair straightener products are associated with "human health and environmental hazards including respiratory effects, endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive toxicity, dermal effects, environmental persistence, and bioaccumulation."

The New York State Department of Health issued an alert entitled "Consumer Health Alert: Hair Straightening Products and Formaldehyde."  The agency warned that if you are thinking of using hair straightener products that many of these products for straightened hair contain formaldehyde and stated potential users of hair straightener products should consider the following: 

• Exposure to formaldehyde can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin.
• People with asthma or other respiratory diseases may be more sensitive than others to the effects of breathing formaldehyde.
• Formaldehyde is classified as a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing chemical).

Moreover, the agency stated you cannot depend on what the label on hair straightener products state about formaldehyde as many of the products for straightened hair were labeled as "formaldehyde-free" or "organic" or "natural" but were found to contain formaldehyde when tested. ​

---

TWO CONGRESSWOMEN URGE THE FDA TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DANGEROUS CHEMICALS USED IN HAIR STRAIGHTENER PRODUCTS

On March 15, 2023 Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Congresswoman Shontel Brown of Ohio in a letter to the FDA urged the agency to investigate whether hair straightener products contain carcinogens and pose a public health threat. The letter stated in part: "We write to request the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to determine whether publicly available chemical hair straightening products contain carcinogens that lead to a higher risk of uterine cancer. Black women use these products at a higher rate than others and could be disproportionately impacted. In order to protect public health, we urge the FDA to reevaluate the safety of these products." The letter concluded: "We urge the FDA to investigate the potential health threat posed by chemical hair straightening products. Consumers need to be reassured that the cosmetic products they use do not threaten their health. It is critical that the agency act quickly to address these legitimate concerns." ​

CONTACT A HAIR STRAIGHTENER LAWYER TODAY

If you used hair straightener products or other products for straightened hair and subsequently were diagnosed with uterine cancer or breast cancer or suffered any other hair straightener side effects from hair straightener products, contact hair straightener lawyer Timothy L. Miles to see if you may be eligible for a hair straightener lawsuit and possibly be entitled to significant compensation. While there is still time to file a lawsuit, be mindful that these cases are time sensitive, and give us a call today. ​

TIMOTHY L. MILES, ESQ.

Timothy L. Miles is a nationally recognized shareholder rights attorney raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Miles was recently selected by Martindale-Hubbell® and ALM as a 2022 Top Ranked Lawyer, 2022 Top Rated Litigator. and a 2022 Elite Lawyer of the South. Mr. Miles also maintains the AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, their highest rating for both legal ability and ethics. Mr. Miles is a member of the prestigious Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers: The National Trial Lawyers Association, a superb rated attorney by Avvo, a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Premier Lawyers of America (2019) and recognized as a Distinguished Lawyer, RecognizingExcellence in Securities Law, by Lawyers of Distinction (2019). Mr. Miles has published over sixty articles on various issues of the law, including class actions, whistleblower cases, products liability, civil procedure, derivative actions, corporate takeover litigation, corporate formation, mass torts, dangerous drugs, and more.  Please visit our website.