Los Angeles, CA — A recent study has raised alarms about the presence of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, in various personal care products widely used by women. While concerns have predominantly focused on chemical hair treatments, researchers have discovered this hazardous substance in an array of everyday items such as shampoos, lotions, and even eyelash glue.
Formaldehyde serves as a preservative, but it can evaporate into the air, especially when subjected to heat, leading to inhalation of toxic fumes. The implications of this exposure range from minor irritations—like eye and respiratory discomfort—to more serious health risks, including a heightened likelihood of head and neck cancers with continuous use. The risks escalate in poorly ventilated spaces like bathrooms and bedrooms, as noted by health experts.
The findings are part of a study conducted by the Silent Spring Institute, which included 70 Black and Latina women from the Los Angeles area. Participants tracked their personal care product usage over five to seven days, utilizing a specialized smartphone app to log their findings and photograph ingredient labels. Researchers analyzed over 1,100 products for formaldehyde and its releasing preservatives, which gradually emit the chemical.
The study revealed that 53% of participants had used at least one product containing formaldehyde-releasing agents. Many of these products are frequently applied, making regular exposure a significant concern. Among the preservatives identified, DMDM hydantoin was the most prevalent, appearing in nearly half of the skincare products and over half of the hair products tested.
Dr. Robin Dodson, a leading exposure scientist involved in the research, cautioned that the list of dangerous chemicals examined is not exhaustive. “Those are just the ones we knew to look for. There could be more that we’re not aware of,” she explained. Formaldehyde is often added to products to increase their shelf-life, and while substitutes exist, they still pose similar risks to health.
The implications of these findings point to critical gaps in regulatory practices regarding personal care products in the United States, particularly affecting women of color. Many products containing formaldehyde are specifically marketed to Black and Latina women, who disproportionately find themselves at risk. “We found that this isn’t just about hair straighteners. These chemicals are in products we use all the time, all over our bodies,” Dodson added, emphasizing the cumulative dangers of repeated exposure.
To help consumers mitigate these risks, the researchers advocate for clearer labeling in the style of European regulations, where products must explicitly warn of such ingredients. Identifying formaldehyde-releasing preservatives can be challenging due to their often convoluted names, leading to unintentional exposure. “Ideally, companies shouldn’t be putting these chemicals in products in the first place,” Dodson stated.
Advocacy for improved legislation is also encouraged, as the European Union and at least ten U.S. states have initiated bans on formaldehyde in personal care items. In 2023, the FDA suggested a nationwide ban on these chemicals in hair straighteners, though the measures have yet to be implemented.
The study is part of a broader initiative known as the Taking Stock Study, a collaborative effort among various organizations aimed at understanding how chemical exposure affects health disparities among Black women and Latinas in California. Janette Robinson Flint, executive director of Black Women for Wellness, highlighted the pervasive influence of societal beauty standards, which often drive Black consumers toward products laden with harmful ingredients.
Flint expressed urgency for improved oversight, emphasizing that consumers should not have to navigate the complexities of product ingredients alone. “We’re trying to do the right thing. But there needs to be more government oversight. We shouldn’t have to be chemists to figure out what kinds of products will make us sick,” she concluded.