Two U.S. House members who had urged the Food and Drug Administration in 2023 to look into the health risks of hair straighteners commonly used by Black women are now questioning the reasons behind two delays in proposing a ban on products containing formaldehyde, which studies have linked to higher cancer rates.
Democratic Representatives Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Shontel Brown of Ohio, along with Representative Nydia Velazquez of New York, sent a letter to the FDA requesting the finalization of the proposed rule to ban specific salon-grade and at-home hair straighteners, which was dated Tuesday.
Initially targeted for release in April after being notified of a possible rule in 2023, the proposal date was first moved to July and then to September. The lawmakers are seeking specific explanations for the delays from FDA Commissioner Robert Califf.
Pressley emphasized that Black women often resort to straightening treatments due to hair discrimination issues and expressed concerns that further delays could lead to more health challenges for communities of color.
While the FDA frequently has regulatory items on its agenda for extended periods, concerns have been raised about the delays in finalizing rules, such as the draft ban on menthol cigarettes in 2022, which was indefinitely postponed in April after being pushed back twice previously.
Black women and women of other ethnicities have been using chemical hair-straightening treatments containing formaldehyde for many years. Studies have indicated an increased risk of uterine cancer among individuals using these products, prompting thousands of lawsuits against beauty companies alleging misrepresentation of health impacts and exposure to chemicals linked to higher cancer risks and infertility.
In response to inquiries, an FDA spokesperson informed that the agency would address the lawmakers directly. The FDA acknowledged last month that the proposed ban remains a top priority and is in the rulemaking process, but did not provide details on the timing or content of the proposal.
In efforts to address the concerns, a 2022 social media video from the FDA emphasized that no ban has been implemented yet and indicated plans to collaborate with the cosmetics industry to develop alternative hair straightening products.