Formaldehyde, a chemical found in hair straightening products, poses an “unreasonable risk to human health,” according to a disturbing new warning from US health authorities.
In a long-awaited review of the safety of the chemical, which is used in multiple industries from textiles to construction, officials warned that the substance, which is “found almost everywhere,” increases the risk of cancer, according to a report published by the Daily Mail.
Experts have long been concerned about the presence of the substance in chemical hair straightening treatments.
Under the names formaldehyde, formalin, or methylene glycol, these substances work to relax wrinkles in the hair by interacting with keratin, a protein that helps form hair.
When heat is applied to the hair at the end of the treatment – from blow-drying or straightening – formaldehyde gas is later released into the air.
This colorless gas is then inhaled, causing at best eye and respiratory irritation, and at worst increasing the long-term risk of head and neck cancer.
These risks increase if an area such as the living room, bathroom, or bedroom is poorly ventilated.
The new warning issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency stated: “Inhalation of formaldehyde for prolonged or “chronic” periods can lead to decreased lung function and increased incidence of asthma, allergy-related conditions, and cancer.”
While the EPA did not specifically mention hair products, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has previously acknowledged a link between hair straightening products and formaldehyde exposure.
Foam blankets
The EPA report documented other potential environmental sources of formaldehyde including foam in blankets, furniture and toys.
The gas can leak from these objects over time, exposing people to the dangers of the chemical.
They also acknowledged the risks to workers who may use products containing the chemical without proper personal protective equipment.
For its part, the UK Health Security Agency confirms that formaldehyde is a cancer-causing chemical, and evidence indicates that exposure to it can cause nasal tumors and even leukemia.
However, she adds, “low levels of exposure from the correct use of products containing formaldehyde are not expected to lead to any adverse health effects.”
Some studies have also linked exposure to formaldehyde to an increased risk of uterine and breast cancer by up to 150%.
A number of European countries have imposed strict limits on the amount of formaldehyde that hair products can contain.