Urgent warning over salon hair treatment that poses ‘unreasonable’ risk of cancer
Formaldehyde, a chemical found in hair straightening products, poses an ‘unreasonable risk to human health’, according to an alarming new warning by US health authorities.
In a long-awaited review of the chemical’s safety, which is used in multiple industries from textiles to construction, officials warned the substance that’s ‘nearly everywhere’ raises cancer risk.
Experts have long been concerned about the presence of the substance in chemical hair straightening or relaxing treatments.
Listed under the names formaldehyde, formalin or methylene glycol, these substances relax kinks in the hair by reacting with keratin, the protein that hair is made of.
When heat is applied to the hair at the end of the treatment — from blow drying or hair straighteners — formaldehyde gas is subsequently emitted into the air.
This colourless gas is then inhaled, causing, at best, eye and respiratory irritation and, at worst, increased risk of head and neck cancers in the long term.
These risks are heightened if an area like a salon, bathroom or bedroom is poorly ventilated.
The fresh warning, issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), stated: ‘Inhaling formaldehyde for longer “chronic” periods of time can reduce lung function and increase asthma and allergy-related conditions, and cancer.’
Formaldehyde, a chemical which can be found in hair straightening products, has been declared an ‘unreasonable risk of injury to human health’ according to US authorities
While the EPA didn’t name hair products specifically, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has previously acknowledged the link between hair straightening products and formaldehyde exposure.
The EPA report documented other potential environmental exposures to formaldehyde including bedding foam, furniture and toys.
Gas can escape from these objects over time, exposing people to the risks of the chemical.
They also acknowledged the risk to workers who may be using products containing the chemical without appropriate personal protective equipment.
While the warning has been issued by US authorities, MailOnline found examples of chemical hair straightening products containing formaldehyde on sale in the UK.
The UK Health Security Agency states formaldehyde is a cancer-causing chemical, and evidence shows that exposure can cause nasal tumours and even the blood cancer leukaemia.
However, it adds: ‘Low level exposure from the correct use of products that contain formaldehyde would not be expected to cause any adverse health effects.’
Some studies have also linked formaldehyde exposure to an up to 150 per cent increased risk of womb and breast cancers.
A number of European countries have set strict limits on the amount of formaldehyde hair products can contain.
