Displaying items by tag: FDA Warning

OSHA has found that some hair smoothing products may contain formaldehyde, may release formaldehyde at levels above OSHA's permissible limits during use, and may be mislabeled, all of which can pose health risks to salon workers. Salons and other employers, such as beauty schools, that use hair smoothing products that contain or may release formaldehyde must follow the requirements in OSHA's formaldehyde and hazard communication standards.

OSHA measured unsafe levels of formaldehyde in the air at three salons using specific products and issued citations to the salon owners for failing to protect workers from over exposure to formaldehyde. OSHA also issued citations and fines to salons and other employers (e.g., beauty schools) for using products that contained or could release formaldehyde and failing to follow the requirements in OSHA's formaldehyde standard (e.g., testing the air to determine formaldehyde levels, providing protective equipment, providing training). In addition, OSHA tested and found formaldehyde in several products that were labeled "formaldehyde free" or did not list formaldehyde on the label. OSHA cited the manufacturers and distributors of these products for incorrectly labeling the products.

While this webpage highlights information and data that OSHA has on formaldehyde in hair smoothing products, other products used in the salon may also contain or release formaldehyde. The information on this webpage applies all salon products that contain or may release formaldehyde. Salon owners, stylists, and other salon workers have the right know what is in the products that they are buying and using and how to protect their workers and themselves from formaldehyde exposure. If salon owners decide to use products that contain or could release formaldehyde, then they must follow the requirements in OSHA's formaldehyde and hazard communication standards. This webpage provides information on:

• Formaldehyde Levels Found in Hair Salons
• Health Risks of Formaldehyde
• How to Know if Products Contain or Release Formaldehyde
• Protecting Worker Health: What OSHA Requires
• How OSHA Can Help

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FDA has received inquiries from consumers and salon professionals concerning the safety of hair-smoothing products containing formaldehyde or related ingredients, which may release formaldehyde gas into the air when heated.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a Hazard Alert to hair salon owners and workers about potential formaldehyde exposure from working with these products. FDA has issued warning letters to GIB, LLC dba Brazilian Blowout and to Van Tibolli Beauty Corp., citing safety and labeling violations.

FDA continues to evaluate hair products that release formaldehyde when heated. The following information is intended to answer questions people may have on this subject.

FDA's Advice to Consumers 

Skin sensitivity can develop after repeated contact with formaldehyde-related ingredients. When formaldehyde is released into the air it can cause serious irritation of your eyes, nose, and lungs. The greater the exposure, in terms of both duration and concentration, to products that contain formaldehyde-related ingredients, the higher the health risks.

For example, studies of workers exposed to high levels of formaldehyde, such as industrial workers and embalmers, found that formaldehyde causes myeloid leukemia, and rare cancers including sinonasal and nasopharyngeal cancer. (See “Formaldehyde,” on the National Institute for Environmental Safety and Health website.)

Read the label. If you're purchasing a product on a retail basis, whether at a store or by mail order, including on the Internet, the product is required to have a list of the ingredients. If it doesn't, please let FDA know. The list of ingredients is required under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. Here are some ingredients to look for:

• Formaldehyde
• Formalin
• Methylene glycol

Ask your salon professional. Products that are marketed only to salon professionals may not have a list of ingredients, because the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act applies only to products marketed on a retail basis to consumers.  Professional use products, however, are required to have directions for safe use and any necessary warning statements, and OSHA requires them to have an SDS (also called an MSDS). You can ask salon professionals if they know whether a product contains formaldehyde-related ingredients or other ingredients you may wish to avoid.

Report bad reactions. Consumers are one of FDA's most important sources of information. To report a reaction to a cosmetic product, use one of these contacts:

1) Reporting by phone to the Consumer Complaint Coordinator at your nearest FDA district office. Phone numbers are posted on FDA's Web page, Consumer Complaint Coordinators.
2) Reporting online to FDA's MedWatch adverse event reporting system. You also may call MedWatch at 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form by mail.

Salon workers also can file complaints about unsafe workplaces with OSHA, as stated in OSHA’s Hazard Alert.