Rep. Brown, Rep. Pressley Urge FDA to Investigate Chemical Hair Straighteners’ Health Risks

WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OH – Last week, Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate whether chemical hair straightening products contain carcinogens and pose a threat to public health. Black women use hair relaxers at a higher rate, potentially putting them at greater risk of developing uterine cancer and other negative health consequences. 

“As a result of anti-Black hair sentiment, Black women have been unfairly subjected to scrutiny and forced to navigate the extreme politicization of hair,” the lawmakers wrote. “Manufacturers of chemical straighteners have gained enormous profits, but recent findings unveil potentially significant negative health consequences associated with these products.”

The National Institutes of Health recently published research on the link between chemical hair straightening products and a person’s risk of uterine cancer. Harmful chemicals have also been found in many products advertised to Black women, contributing to national racial health disparities.

“The increased risk disproportionately impacts Black women and contributes to national racial health disparities. The FDA has a mandate to review the latest research and reevaluate the safety of these products,” the lawmakers continued. “Consumers need to be reassured that the cosmetic products they use do not threaten their health.”

A copy of the letter can be found here.

A fierce opponent of hair discrimination, Congresswoman Brown was a proud cosponsor of the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act of 2022 (CROWN Act), which aimed to prohibit hair discrimination at the federal level. In the 117^th Congress, the bipartisan CROWN Act passed the House of Representatives on March 18, 2022.