Toxins: Hair Scare
Lindsey Blomberg
The Environmental Magazine
July 1, 2011
Environmental Science: Toxins
Summary...This article is about a keratin-based hair-straightening treatment called Brazilian Blowout. This treatment is supposed tame curly hair and to make them frizz free. The product was being offered in salons until a hairstylist experienced shortness of breath, eye irritation and nosebleeds when using the products. The stylist then filed a complaint with the local Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The OSHA learned that the Brazilian Blowout hair products contained a toxic carcinogen formaldehyde. The ingredients include methylene glycol but when mixed with water it will it will be turned into formaldehyde fumes. Many other salon workers complained about the product as well. And finally the selling of the product was halted. The Safe Cosmetics Act will give the FDA the ability to restrict harmful chemicals in beauty products.
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Reflection...My thoughts on this article is that why would a product be released without the ingredients being looked at first. The toxin found in the product, formaldehyde has been linked to nose and throat cancer and leukemia. The many reactions to the toxin, like burning throats and loss of smell, shortness of breath can eventually lead to types of cancer. It is fortunate that acts such as the Safe Cosmetics Act is around to help regulate and restrict harmful chemicals in products.
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