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A new study shows that Black women are exposed to dangerous chemicals through the use of hair products. Scientists at Silent Spring Institute, measure concentrations of endocrine-disrupting chemicals- the substances that interfere with the body’s hormones in a variety of hair products marketed at Black women. Chemicals in hair products, and beauty products are not tested and not regulated.
Black women go through puberty at younger ages, and have higher rates of hormone-mediated problems such as pre-term birth, uterine fibroids and infertility than other groups of women. Incidence rates of breast cancer and endometrial cancer among Black women are also increasing. The new study looked at 18 different hair products-hot oil treatments, anti-frizz hair polishes, leave-in conditioners, root stimulators, hair lotions, and hair relaxers.
The products were chosen based on results from a survey of Black women asking them about their product use. The researchers tested each product for the presence of 66 endocrine disruptors that are associated with a variety of health effects including reproductive disorders, birth defects, asthma, and cancer. A total of 45 endocrine disruptors were detected in total, with each product containing at least 6 of the target chemicals: 11 products contained 7 chemicals prohibited in the European Union (EU) or regulated under California’s Proposition 65.
Hair relaxers marketed at children contained the highest levels of 5 chemicals prohibited in the EU or regulated under Proposition 65.
Parabens, fragrances, nonylphenols, and diethyl phthalate were commonly found in root stimulators, hair lotions, and hair relaxers.
Cyclosiloxanes were more frequently detected in anti-frizz products and at the highest concentrations of any chemical measured.
All products contained fragrance chemicals and 78 percent contained parabens. 84 percent of chemicals detected were not listed on the product label. Manufacturing companies aren’t required to disclose everything that’s in their products, so it’s hard for consumers to make informed choices,” says co-author Robin Dodson, ScD, an environmental exposure scientist at Silent Spring. Although the chemicals detected in the new study are not unique to hair products used by Black women, most of the chemicals can be found in other personal care items, the levels measured were generally in the higher range compared with other hair products.
Based on national biomonitoring data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women have higher levels of some phthalates and parabens in their bodies compared with White women. According to the researchers, this is consistent with their study’s findings, which showed that phthalates and parabens were frequently detected in products.
Black women are over-exposed and under-protected from toxic chemicals ,” says Janette Robinson Flint, executive director of Black Women for Wellness, a nonprofit based in California that conducts research and education on toxic chemicals in personal care products through its Healthy Hair Initiative. Consumers can limit their exposures by reducing the number of products they use, looking for products that are paraben-free,fragrance-free on the label, and using products that are plant-based or made with organic ingredients.
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