Study finds carcinogenic chemicals in personal care products used by Black and Latina women
The study reinforces the ongoing push for beauty justice, advocating for equitable access to safer products and stronger regulatory measures to protect vulnerable communities.
USA – A recent study conducted in the United States has revealed the presence of formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (FRPs) in personal care products commonly used by Black and Latina women.
The study, led by Robin Dodson, a research scientist at Silent Spring Institute in Massachusetts, examined products such as lotions, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, curl creams, hair oils, mousses, facial cleansers, skincare creams, hair gels, eyelash adhesives, and eyeliners.
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (FRPs), classified as Group One carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, were detected in various everyday items, with hair and skin care products showing the highest concentrations.
Dodson warned that even minimal exposure to formaldehyde could lead to skin irritation or respiratory issues, and repeated exposure over time could pose more serious health risks.
Despite growing awareness of the hazards of formaldehyde, the ingredient remains widely used in cosmetics to prolong shelf life and prevent microbial growth, even though it has been banned in several countries and U.S. states.
The Silent Spring Institute study monitored 70 Black and Latina women in Los Angeles, tracking their daily product usage through a specially designed app.
The participants logged their routines by photographing the items they applied, allowing researchers to compare these records with the Environmental Protection Agency’s public Chemical and Products Database.
The researchers found that while only 4% of personal care products officially listed formaldehyde or FRPs as ingredients, 53% of the women surveyed unknowingly used at least one product containing these substances daily.
This discrepancy underscores a lack of transparency in labelling practices and raises concerns about consumer exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
The study, published in the Journal of Environmental Science & Technology Letters, reported that 47% of skin care and 58% of hair care products labelled with FRPs contained DMDM hydantoin, a preservative known for its formaldehyde-releasing properties.
The second most common FRP was diazolidinyl urea, found in 17 products, primarily skincare items, along with a few body lotions and shampoos.
Dodson noted that despite formaldehyde being listed in only a small percentage of products, its prevalence in widely used brands means many consumers are unknowingly exposed to this toxin.
The study reinforces the ongoing push for beauty justice, advocating for equitable access to safer products and stronger regulatory measures to protect vulnerable communities.
Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.
