From pr-usa.net: OSHA issues a hazard about potential formaldehyde exposure when using hair smoothing products.
Federal OSHA yesterday released a hazard alert to hair salon owners and workers nationwide about potential formaldehyde exposure when using hair smoothing products. OSHA regulates formaldehyde as a cancer causing substance, and formaldehyde is listed as a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer (Prop 65 List). Formaldehyde also irritates the skin, eyes, throat and respiratory system, and can cause asthma and skin and respiratory sensitization.
This hazard alert was the result of investigative work done by Cal/OSHA, Oregon OSHA, and federal OSHA into hair-styling products, some of which are labeled as formaldehyde- free. Some of these products are imported from Brazil and distributed in the U.S. by companies including GIB LLC, which does business under the name “Brazilian Blowout.” Cal/OSHA is also cooperating with other state agencies to ensure that consumers and the public are protected from these health hazards.
Cal/OSHA’s testing of Brazilian Blowout’s Acai Professional Smoothing and Brazilian Blowout Professional Solutions found that formaldehyde is present in these products, and testing performed by federal OSHA found that use of these products caused workers to be overexposed to formaldehyde in the air they were breathing.
Federal OSHA has issued a hazard alert to hair salon owners and workers about potential formaldehyde exposures from working with some hair smoothing and straightening products. If salon owners in California continue to use a hair product containing formaldehyde, they are required to follow Cal/OSHA’s formaldehyde standard, which includes periodic monitoring of exposure, implementation of a respiratory protection program and employee training.
We will keep you informed if any regulatory changes result due to this alert.