FDA Delay in Formaldehyde Ban Sparks Health Concerns

As deadlines slip, so does public trust in the FDA's ability to protect health.

The FDA has missed its Dec. 31, 2026 deadline for proposing a ban on formaldehyde in hair-straightening products, marking the seventh delay since October 2023. David Andrews of the Environmental Working Group emphasized the urgency of the issue:

David Andrews said:

"Formaldehyde is a well-established carcinogen... Every delay directly puts at risk the health of salon workers and consumers, particularly Black women."

Lauren Wise, from Boston University School of Public Health, highlighted the risks of exposure:

Lauren Wise said:

"There is no safe level of exposure in consumer products that are heated and inhaled..."

A 2025 study by Wise found temporary hair relaxers were more strongly linked to fibroid growth than permanent ones. Rep. Shontel Brown criticized the FDA's inaction:

Rep. Shontel Brown said:

"We’ve written letters, we’ve spoken out... The FDA owes the American people an explanation for these continued delays."

Black women are disproportionately exposed to these chemicals, with use rates three times higher than white women and earlier initiation of use.

Health risks include uterine, ovarian, and breast cancers, as well as fibroids, which affect Black women at higher rates. Andrews clarified that the FDA’s delay has no legal repercussions but raises ethical concerns about accountability.

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