John, we just had a big win, and I wanted to fill you in.
This past March, Representative Pressley and I sent a letter to the United States Food and Drug Administration Commissioner, asking them to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to determine whether publicly available chemical hair straightening products contain carcinogens that lead to a higher risk of uterine cancer.
A study by The National Institutes of Health found that out of 33,497 women aged 35 to 74 who used hair straightening products more than four times in the previous year, they were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer than nonusers.
Black women use these products more, putting them at higher risk for cancer. It’s abhorrent that Black women and other consumers have to worry about standard cosmetic products threatening their health. So we jumped into action.
And they listened.
The FDA’s proposed rule would ban formaldehyde and chemicals that release formaldehyde, such as methylene glycol, as an ingredient in hair smoothing or straightening products.
On behalf of women across the country, especially Black women, I applaud the FDA’s new proposed rule. Americans deserve to know that basic everyday products like hair straighteners are safe. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Administration to implement this proposed rule.
Consumers, especially Black women, deserve BETTER. Even with all of the chaos in the House, I am still getting work done on behalf of the American people, and I will not stop fighting for our futures. Will you join me by pitching in $5 or more today?
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As a Cuyahoga County Council member and Chairwoman of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, Shontel Brown has spent the last decade serving the people of Ohio and building coalitions. Now, as the Congresswoman for Ohio’s 11th District, she will fight for affordable quality health care, jobs that pay fair wages, a strong public education system, and equity and justice for all. Will you join her and be the change we need?
