FDA to Propose Ban on Hair Relaxer Products Linked to Cancers in Women

As reported by CNN, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration intends to propose a ban on hair straightening products like hair relaxers that have been linked to health risks including uterine and ovarian cancer in long-time users. The rule is expected to bank hair-straightening products that contain formaldehyde and other related chemicals like methylene and glycol. Once the proposed rule is issued, the FDA will take public comments and decide upon further action after review.

As CNN notes, “Scientists have long identified an association between the use of hair-straightening chemical products with an increased risk of certain hormone-related cancers, including ovarian and breast cancers, and uterine cancer, particularly among Black and Latina women. Research suggests that about 50% of products advertised to Black women contain these types of chemicals, compared with about 7% that are advertised to White women, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.”

Lieff Cabraser represents over one hundred women who have been diagnosed with cancer after using hair relaxers. Their lawsuits are consolidated with thousands of others in federal court in Chicago in front of Judge Mary M. Rowland, which allows plaintiffs to litigate collectively against the companies responsible for these products. Judge Rowland created a Plaintiff’s Leadership Committee to manage the collective litigation, and appointed Lieff Cabraser’s Kelly M. Dermody to serve on the Plaintiff’s Executive Committee based on her experience and leadership in complex litigation and women’s rights.

Learn more about the Hair Relaxer Cancer lawsuits and Lieff Cabraser’s advocacy on behalf of women nationwide who allege their gynecological cancers are linked to their use of hair relaxer products.