OSHA Warns Brazilian Blowout Users against Formaldehyde Hazards
OSHA (U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration) recently issued warning to hair salon owners and workers against the hazards of using hair styling products that contain unsafe levels of formaldehyde.
According to the agency, the level of formaldehyde in these salons is higher than the protective limits. OSHA also cited two manufacturers and two distributors of hair smoothing products for violations that included failing to list formaldehyde on product labels as well as on accompanying hazard warning sheets, known as material safety data sheets, that are provided to the products' users.
Formaldehyde can irritate the eyes and nose; cause allergic reactions of the skin, eyes and lungs; and is a cancer hazard, according to OSHA. The agency has released a revised hazard notification for Salons stating that if they use products that contain or release formaldehyde, they must follow the requirements in OSHA's formaldehyde standard at 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.1048.
Further, OSHA notification mandates that manufacturers, importers and distributors of products that contain formaldehyde or that release formaldehyde during use, include information about formaldehyde and its hazards on product labels and in the material safety data sheets.
The new warning has sent shockwaves among salon owners and hair stylists. Customers are a bit worried too. A few salon owners have already stopped using these products after realizing the potential hazards. Chaz Henline who owns Charles Scott Salon in Rocky River, says he has stopped this costly treatment because some of the straightening products contain dangerous levels of formaldehyde, reported mobile.latimes. "What cost is beauty? I'm not going to risk the health of my clients, employees or the environment. So we've chosen to stop the use of the keratin straightening products and the Brazilian blowouts," said Henline. "During the straightening process, you have to do each individual section six times. Each time, that releases formaldehyde into the air causing exposure to the client as well as the employee."
Henline warns users be aware of the consequences of this hair therapy. They should ask for the list of products and the ingredients used in the hair styling products offered by the salon.
By Rajani Baburajan
