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Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
In-Vitro Toxicology Testing Market is Poised to Attain Valuation of US$ 57.55 Billion By 2033
Regulatory endorsement, AI-driven omics analytics, organ-chip advances, CRO expansion, and heavy investment are propelling global in-vitro toxicology testing toward faster, humane, standardized, and highly predictive workflows across pharma, cosmetics, and chemical industries. Chicago, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global in-vitro toxicology testing market was valued at US$ 26.00 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 57.55 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 9.23% during the forecast period 2025–2033. As 2025 unfolds, the in-vitro toxicology testing market is experiencing an unmistakable inflection point driven by rising ethical expectations, stricter drug-development deadlines, and the proven predictive value of cell-based assays. Global brands, particularly in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and food additives, now specify advanced in-vitro data as a prerequisite for supplier qualification, prompting laboratories worldwide to upgrade microfluidic platforms, imaging systems, and organ-chips. According to the Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, 176 novel non-animal protocols entered premarket validation pipelines between January 2022 and December 2023, illustrating how pipeline diversity is expanding beyond traditional cytotoxicity and genotoxicity end-points. Manufacturers consequently face mounting pressure to deliver modular workstations without compromising reproducibility. Download Sample Pages: Equally influential is the widening acceptance of organoid libraries sourced from induced pluripotent stem cells, which allow developers to screen environmental contaminants under physiologically appropriate flow conditions. Recent data from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences show that toxicogenomic signatures generated through three-dimensional liver microtissues correctly forecasted hepatotoxic outcomes for 287 out of 293 candidate molecules during 2023 collaborative trials, cutting late-stage project attrition. Because each mis-predicted compound can cost sponsors millions in sunk chemistry and regulatory fees, accurate early diagnostics translate into measurable timetable savings, underscoring why venture funds such as Arch, GV, and Novo Holdings earmarked USD 740 million for next-generation in-vitro toxicology startups during 2023 alone. Key Findings in In-Vitro Toxicology Testing Market Market Forecast (2033) US$ 57.55 billion CAGR 9.23% Largest Region (2024) Europe (42.8%) By Solution Assay (42.70%) By Method Cellular Assay Methods (44.50%) By Toxicity Endpoint & Test Skin Irritation, Corrosion, And Sensitization (38.30%) By Technology Cell Culture Technology (47.60%) By End User Pharmaceutical Industry (40.0%) Top Drivers Regulator-mandated reduction of vertebrate testing accelerates in-vitro assay adoption globally. High-throughput imaging platforms cut screening costs, boosting pharmaceutical decision speed. Expanding availability of human-derived organoids improves relevance and predictive accuracy. Top Trends Integration of AI with imaging data streamlines toxicity interpretation workflows. Shift toward microphysiological systems enables exposure studies without animal models. Cloud-based data repositories facilitate multi-site collaboration and regulatory submission harmonization. Top Challenges Limited standardization across assays generates variability, hindering cross-laboratory data comparability. Complex metabolic pathways remain difficult to replicate in in-vitro systems. High capital expenditure for automation restricts adoption among smaller laboratories. Pharmaceutical Industry Drives High-Content Screening and 3D Cell Model Integration The pharmaceutical sector remains the single largest adopter of sophisticated in-vitro toxicology testing market innovations, primarily because clinical attrition penalties have never been higher. According to BioPharmaData, global R&D pipelines contained 6,921 active small-molecule candidates at the start of 2024, and each must pass a barrage of cytotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity screens before entering Phase I. High-content imaging with multiplexed fluorescent reporters has become the workhorse technique: during 2023, Pfizer's Groton campus alone generated 48 million annotated images using CellVoyager CQ1 units connected to a centralized data lake running Amazon HealthLake for downstream machine learning. This dataset now feeds structure-activity relationship models that flag mitochondrial liabilities days earlier than workflows. The integration of three-dimensional cell models is accelerating equally fast, particularly for immuno-oncology assets in the in-vitro toxicology testing market where tumor–stroma interactions determine therapeutic index more than raw potency. In H2 2023, Novartis paired AIM Biotech organoids with Sartorius perfusion modules to test 26 bispecific antibodies, cutting pilot animal usage from 421 mice to 17 for PK confirmation. January 2024 saw Eli Lilly roll out MIMETAS OrganoPlate Graft across five teams, delivering 4,000 spheroids-per-week throughput for T-cell infiltration assays. Such harmonized datasets populate FDA-aligned BioAssay Ontology repositories, allowing reviewers to benchmark results quickly and giving early adopters commercial advantage. Major CROs now bundle these platforms into turnkey packages, further broadening pharmaceutical demand throughout 2024 globally. Cosmetics Sector Showcases Real-World Success For Animal-Free Toxicity Assessment Strategies The cosmetics industry, historically constrained by the European Union's 2013 ban on animal testing for finished products, has matured into a laboratory proving ground for the in-vitro toxicology testing market. Since this ban, manufacturers have systematically swapped Draize and LD50 assays for reconstructed human epidermis, ocular microtissues, and metabolic activation co-cultures, resulting in detailed protocol libraries now referenced globally. In 2024, the European Chemicals Agency listed 138 approved in-vitro methods under REACH Annex XI, with 67 covering cosmetic ingredients; that is a threefold increase over 2018. L'Oréal's Episkin plant in Lyon, reopened in October 2023, produces 1.2 million tissue inserts annually for in-house and global customers including Shiseido and P&G. Retail adoption underscores viability of the in-vitro toxicology testing market: Sephora's Clean + Planet Positive program compelled 312 reconstructed-skin dossiers during 2023. In February 2024, Ulta Beauty and MatTek began a rapid irritation screening service returning certificates within five days, cutting formulation cycles for indie brands. Croda's Seatons unit released a catalog linking each emollient to OECD-TG 439 or 492 reports, letting chemists filter ingredients by irritation score. Together, these moves prove that transparent in-vitro toxicology testing market data accelerate product launches and reinforce ESG positioning within beauty. Industry observers note that the average cruelty-free claim now appears on store shelves seven months sooner than in 2020, a timeline shift directly traceable to validated in-vitro workflows. Emerging Bioinformatics Tools Deliver Granular Insights From Omics-Based Toxicology Workflows The explosion of multi-omics datasets is redefining the analytical backbone of the in-vitro toxicology testing market, enabling researchers to trace molecular perturbations long before overt cytotoxic signals emerge. During 2023, the NIH-funded ToxCast program released 12.4 terabytes of integrated transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic profiles derived from 1,482 chemical exposures across 27 human cell lines, up from only 2.1 terabytes in 2021. Such scale demands purpose-built informatics; consequently, vendors like Benchling, Clarivate's Bioinfogate, and Aigenpulse launched toxicology modules that automate pathway enrichment, adverse outcome pathway mapping, and chemical similarity indexing within secure cloud environments. These tools export GLP-compliant reports that slot into eCTD submissions, bridging the gap between scientists and reviewers. Artificial intelligence amplifies the power of omics pipelines by extracting latent toxicity signatures that evade manual scrutiny in the in-vitro toxicology testing market. In November 2023, IBM Research trained a graph neural network on 4.6 million gene-expression nodes that predicted mitochondrial stress biomarkers 48 hours sooner than ATP assays when validated against 320 blinded compounds. DeepTox AI, spun out of ETH Zurich in February 2024, raised USD 35 million to commercialize a self-supervised model converting RNA-seq counts into numeric toxicity scores for high-throughput triage. Both frameworks share JSON schemas, letting CROs integrate results into LIMS and providing auditors a complete, paperless data trail. This interoperability accelerates hazard ranking, dose-response modeling, and cross-species extrapolation across research networks. Rise Of Contract Research Organizations Reshapes Global Testing Service Landscape Demand for specialized expertise and flexible capacity has propelled contract research organizations to the forefront of the in-vitro toxicology testing market. According to LabViews Analytics, 726 CRO facilities worldwide now advertise dedicated in-vitro toxicology suites, up from 498 in 2020, reflecting a decisive shift away from captive in-house labs. Eurofins Discovery, for example, doubled its MatTek EpiDerm capacity in November 2023, allowing the company to run 9,600 disintegration and phototoxicity plates monthly, while Charles River Laboratories installed Emulate's intestine-chip systems across three continents to meet dietary ingredient demand. This geographic spread helps clients standardize protocols across submission regions and maintain audit readiness without juggling multiple supplier contracts or data silos. Service differentiation increasingly hinges on digital integration and time-to-data metrics, not just price. January 2024 saw Labcorp launch Claritas, a portal that streams raw fluorescence files within four hours and computes Z-factors via embedded Jupyter notebooks. Clients in the in-vitro toxicology testing market say review cycles fell from 14 days to five, letting chemists iterate leads faster. In March 2024, Biopolis agreed to supply organ-chip toxicology to Samsung Biologics for bioconjugate lots, illustrating supply-chain integration. By coupling advanced assays with near-real-time analytics, CROs turn outsourcing from a cost-saving tactic into a strategic accelerant. Notably, seven of the ten largest pharma firms renewed multi-year master service agreements in 2023, collectively securing over 2,400 assay slots per month. Investment Landscape Highlights Strategic Mergers, Venture Funding, And Infrastructure Expansion The investment climate surrounding the in-vitro toxicology testing market is remarkably active, reflecting both scientific momentum and regulatory tailwinds. In 2023, there were 41 disclosed venture deals targeting assay development, bioinformatic analytics, or organ-chip hardware, representing total capital inflows of USD 2.3 billion, according to PitchBook's March 2024 health-tech digest. Flagship Pioneering's USD 350 million launch of Quotient Bio, focused on immune-competent microphysiological systems, exemplifies the scale of single-round funding now achievable. Meanwhile, Thermo Fisher Scientific spent USD 720 million acquiring Sweden's Cellink in December 2023, gaining bioprinting capabilities that directly support complex tissue fabrication for toxicology workflows. Integration plans include scaling Cellink's BIO X6 printers to 40 centers within 18 months. Real-estate expansion mirrors financial enthusiasm, with several purpose-built facilities breaking ground in 2024. April 2024 saw Singapore's JTC allocate 24,000 square meters at Tuas Biomedical Park for an organ-chip manufacturing hub designed for eight start-ups and two multinational suppliers. Earlier, in November 2023, the State of North Carolina approved USD 180 million in tax incentives to establish a Center of Excellence for Advanced Toxicology, anchored by IQVIA and North Carolina State University. The center will include BSL-2 cell culture wings, high-content imaging cores, and a 10-petabyte data warehouse, creating a magnet for labor. Such infrastructure commitments provide capacity insurance for sponsors and reinforce advantages for jurisdictions that embrace new-method testing. Browse the Table of Contents to access and purchase individual report sections: Future Outlook Prioritizes Accessibility, Standardization, And Artificial Intelligence Integration Pathways As the in-vitro toxicology testing market enters its next maturity phase, stakeholders are focusing on democratizing access and scaling standards to sustain momentum. Low-cost microfluidic chips fabricated via injection-molded cyclic olefin polymers now retail for less than USD 12 per unit, compared with USD 48 for glass devices in 2021, allowing university labs and emerging-market regulators to conduct sophisticated barrier assays. Concurrently, ASTM International's work item WK84690, initiated in February 2024, seeks to codify performance criteria for kidney-on-chip devices, including shear-stress ranges, TEER measurement protocols, and media composition guidelines. Such benchmarks will form the backbone of procurement frameworks announced by the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry, scheduled for Q4 2024. Artificial intelligence will increasingly orchestrate end-to-end workflows in the in-vitro toxicology testing market, turning raw microscopy images and omics matrices into regulatory-ready narratives. The FDA's Digital Health Center of Excellence confirmed in March 2024 that it is piloting a secure-sandbox program, allowing algorithm developers to test adverse outcome pathway models against anonymized IND datasets without formal data-use agreements. Meanwhile, cloud providers are embedding features: Google Cloud's May 2024 Vertex Bio update introduced a 'toxicology' notebook template that automates cytotoxic curve fitting and attaches metadata schemas compliant with SEND 3.1. Looking ahead, analysts expect hybrid wet-lab/AI subscriptions, where users order pre-configured assays and receive interpreted results via an API, to become mainstream by 2026, altering revenue models. Global In-Vitro Toxicology Testing Market Major Players: Charles River Bio Rad Laboratories, Inc Abott Thermofisher Scientific Inc. Catalent Inc. GE Healthcare Eurofins Scientific Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings Evotec Genotronix BioIVT Merck Other Prominent Players Key Market Segmentation: By Solutions Equipment Assay Bacterial Toxicity Assays Protein Degradation GPCRs Nuclear Receptors Tissue Culture Assays Others Consumables Services By Method Cellular Assay Biochemical Assay In Silicon Ex-Vivo By Technology Cell Culture Technology High Throughput Technology OMICS Technology By Toxicity Endpoint & Test ADME Skin Irritation, Corrosion & Sensitization Genotoxicity Testing Cytotoxicity Testing Ocular Toxicity Phototoxicity Testing Dermal Toxicity Others By End User Pharmaceutical Cosmetics & Household Academic Institutes & Research Laboratories Diagnostics Chemicals Industry Food Industry Others By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa (MEA) South America Need More Info? Ask Before You Buy: About Astute Analytica Astute Analytica is a global market research and advisory firm providing data-driven insights across industries such as technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and more. We publish multiple reports daily, equipping businesses with the intelligence they need to navigate market trends, emerging opportunities, competitive landscapes, and technological advancements. With a team of experienced business analysts, economists, and industry experts, we deliver accurate, in-depth, and actionable research tailored to meet the strategic needs of our clients. At Astute Analytica, our clients come first, and we are committed to delivering cost-effective, high-value research solutions that drive success in an evolving marketplace. Contact Us:Astute AnalyticaPhone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4483891 (Rest of the World)For Sales Enquiries: sales@ Follow us on: LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube CONTACT: Contact Us: Astute Analytica Phone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4483891 (Rest of the World) For Sales Enquiries: sales@ Website: in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Are these popular salon treatments a health threat?
A few years ago, strange things began to happen to Merideth Pedack. The Washington-based hairstylist found she could taste her clients' deodorant on the back of her tongue, even from ten feet away. A sharp metallic smell clung to her nose throughout the day, and she started getting grinding headaches that seemed to last longer and longer with each passing week until one day they simply never stopped. 'The pounding in my brain and skull and spine and eyes and ears. It was all day. It was all night,' says Pedack, who started having panic attacks from the pain. 'The sound of people's voices hurt. My eyeballs hurt to move. I couldn't look at screens. I couldn't watch TV. I couldn't listen to music. It is a nightmare to be in that much pain.' She says she could no longer work or even leave her house. Pedack says her doctors told her she had developed a severe form of chemical intolerance known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) from the products she used at work, causing her body to overreact to any and all chemicals in her environment. Although there is no medical consensus on the exact definition of MCS, studies show that sufferers experience debilitating headaches, respiratory discomfort, impaired memory and chronic pain, which can lead to significant emotional distress and isolation. Pedack said her friends and family couldn't enter her home unless they conducted a complex decontamination protocol. Though Pedack's case is extreme, hers is one of many health struggles that disproportionately affect those who work with hair dyes and chemical straighteners that contain formaldehyde, polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), DNA-damaging phenylenediamines, and hormone-disrupting phthalates. Multiple studies suggest that, compared to the general population, hairdressers have a higher risk of cancer; reproductive disorders and respiratory illnesses; and are more likely to give birth to babies with congenital defects. In 2022, a study led by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) found that women––particularly Black women who used chemical hair straightening products—were over twice as likely to develop uterine cancer than those who didn't. Thousands of ongoing lawsuits have been filed on the heels of these findings, claiming some of the country's most popular hair relaxing manufacturers sold products they knew, or should have known,could hurt people. 'Salon workers shouldn't have to choose between their health and their career,' said Danica Winters, owner of The Plum, a holistic hair salon in San Francisco. Risks to hairstylists Hairstylists are overexposed and under-protected from dangerous and potentially life-threatening chemicals, says Astrid Williams, an adjunct professor of health sciences at the University of Phoenix and environmental justice manager for Black Women For Wellness. 'Studies show that salon workers suffer from significantly higher rates of disease compared to other occupations,' she said. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has legal limits for workplace chemical exposure and issues fines to salons that violate safety regulations. But, according to Jamie McConell, deputy director at Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE), an organization that has been advocating for salon workplace safety for nearly a decade, many salon workers are independent contractors who are not officially employed by the salon they work at, meaning they don't have the same workplace protections. As a result, salon workers are a particularly under-protected demographic. Something many of them remain unaware of. 'There's this idea that there are folks out there who care and would not subject us to products that would be super harmful to our health,' said San Francisco-based hair stylist Opal Baedeker. Since 2023, the FDA has repeatedly missed self-imposed deadlines to propose a ban on formaldehyde in cosmetics products. During reporting for this article that occurred last year, an FDA representative told National Geographic that the ban continues to be a high priority, and that the agency had been conducting additional research ahead of a rule to ban formaldehyde. They added that 'the rulemaking process takes time. Before a proposed rule can be published in the Federal Register for public comment, it must be reviewed and approved within both the FDA and other parts of the Federal government.' The FDA did not respond to a recent request to comment on whether the ban remains a high priority. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) obtained FDA emails via the Freedom of Information Act, which show that the first reported adverse event for hair smoothing products in the FDA's CAERS database occurred in 1993. A complicated regulatory landscape Unlike food or drugs, cosmetics manufacturers, with the exception of color additive manufacturers, don't need FDA approval before they are put on store shelves, according to the FDA's website. Instead, the FDA relies on post-market surveillance and voluntary reporting when something goes wrong, or someone gets hurt. In 2023, chemical exposure from cosmetic products triggered the most health risk alerts issued by the European Union's monitoring network, which prompted some member nations to recall products. Yet, not a single cosmetics product was recalled in the U.S. in 2023, according to the FDA's database of recalled products. Part of the reason for this discrepancy is the difference in banned and restricted chemicals in cosmetics. Since 1976, European countries have banned or restricted over 2,500 chemicals used in cosmetics, while the FDA has banned or restricted only 11 chemicals in nearly double that timespan. Instead, the FDA issues public health alerts and sends manufacturers warning letters, which are essentially advisory notices asking for voluntary compliance. According to an FDA spokesperson earlier this year, 'the FDA can, and does, take action on unsafe cosmetics, even if the unsafe ingredients are not specifically banned or restricted.' What do ingredient labels really tell us? Until the recent passing of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act in 2022, the FDA's regulatory power over cosmetics was concentrated on labels, requiring that personal care products contain a complete and accurate list of ingredients on the packaging. The new law gives the FDA more authority to regulate product labels and production facilities and recall harmful products. Providing a list of ingredients should, in theory, allow both consumers and salon workers to make informed choices about product safety. The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act prohibits misleading labels. However, companies are not required to disclose trade secrets like 'fragrance' or 'flavor', according to the FDA's website, making it difficult to determine whether or not toxins are present. And if a hair stylist knew the dangers of a particular chemical, they would also need to be able to identify it from a lineup of what OSHA refers to as chemical 'synonyms' on product labels. Known toxins like polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) can show up as polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane, perfluorodecalin, and perfluorohexane. Formaldehyde can appear as formalin, methanal, diazolidinyl urea, morbicid acid, glyoxal, methylene glycol, glyoxylic acid, cyclopentasiloxane, and a number of other alphabet-salads. 'It's absolutely ridiculous to expect anyone to know what all of these ingredients are,' said Baedeker, a hairstylist for 25 years who claims she started getting debilitating migraines and developed symptoms of asthma after doing chemical hair straightening treatments. She points out that product labels in the U.S. don't indicate chemical concentrations, or harmful byproducts that might result when the product chemically reacts with other common hair products. 'No person on this planet is going to memorize these ingredients or know how they work together, aside from someone who is specifically a chemist making these products,' Baedeker added. Baedeker says she assumed that the hair products being sold were completely safe to use. 'If somebody said, you need to stop what you're doing or you could be so sick that—maybe you won't be dead, but you'll wish that you were—I would have made different choices,' said Pedack. 'I found out the hard way.'
National Geographic
07-05-2025
- Health
- National Geographic
Are these popular salon treatments a health threat?
Chemical hair straighteners promise smooth, frizz-free hair, but research has linked these treatments to an increased risk of serious health conditions. Chemical hair straightening treatments promise smooth, straight hair, but studies have linked them to health issues. Photograph By Nikola Nenadović, Shutterstock A few years ago, strange things began to happen to Merideth Pedack. The Washington-based hairstylist found she could taste her clients' deodorant on the back of her tongue, even from ten feet away. A sharp metallic smell clung to her nose throughout the day, and she started getting grinding headaches that seemed to last longer and longer with each passing week until one day they simply never stopped. 'The pounding in my brain and skull and spine and eyes and ears. It was all day. It was all night,' says Pedack, who started having panic attacks from the pain. 'The sound of people's voices hurt. My eyeballs hurt to move. I couldn't look at screens. I couldn't watch TV. I couldn't listen to music. It is a nightmare to be in that much pain.' She says she could no longer work or even leave her house. Pedack says her doctors told her she had developed a severe form of chemical intolerance known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) from the products she used at work, causing her body to overreact to any and all chemicals in her environment. Although there is no medical consensus on the exact definition of MCS, studies show that sufferers experience debilitating headaches, respiratory discomfort, impaired memory and chronic pain, which can lead to significant emotional distress and isolation. Pedack said her friends and family couldn't enter her home unless they conducted a complex decontamination protocol. Though Pedack's case is extreme, hers is one of many health struggles that disproportionately affect those who work with hair dyes and chemical straighteners that contain formaldehyde, polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), DNA-damaging phenylenediamines, and hormone-disrupting phthalates. Multiple studies suggest that, compared to the general population, hairdressers have a higher risk of cancer; reproductive disorders and respiratory illnesses; and are more likely to give birth to babies with congenital defects. In 2022, a study led by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) found that women––particularly Black women who used chemical hair straightening products—were over twice as likely to develop uterine cancer than those who didn't. Thousands of ongoing lawsuits have been filed on the heels of these findings, claiming some of the country's most popular hair relaxing manufacturers sold products they knew, or should have known,could hurt people. 'Salon workers shouldn't have to choose between their health and their career,' said Danica Winters, owner of The Plum, a holistic hair salon in San Francisco. Risks to hairstylists Hairstylists are overexposed and under-protected from dangerous and potentially life-threatening chemicals, says Astrid Williams, an adjunct professor of health sciences at the University of Phoenix and environmental justice manager for Black Women For Wellness. 'Studies show that salon workers suffer from significantly higher rates of disease compared to other occupations,' she said. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has legal limits for workplace chemical exposure and issues fines to salons that violate safety regulations. But, according to Jamie McConell, deputy director at Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE), an organization that has been advocating for salon workplace safety for nearly a decade, many salon workers are independent contractors who are not officially employed by the salon they work at, meaning they don't have the same workplace protections. As a result, salon workers are a particularly under-protected demographic. Something many of them remain unaware of. 'There's this idea that there are folks out there who care and would not subject us to products that would be super harmful to our health,' said San Francisco-based hair stylist Opal Baedeker. Since 2023, the FDA has repeatedly missed self-imposed deadlines to propose a ban on formaldehyde in cosmetics products. During reporting for this article that occurred last year, an FDA representative told National Geographic that the ban continues to be a high priority, and that the agency had been conducting additional research ahead of a rule to ban formaldehyde. They added that 'the rulemaking process takes time. Before a proposed rule can be published in the Federal Register for public comment, it must be reviewed and approved within both the FDA and other parts of the Federal government.' The FDA did not respond to a recent request to comment on whether the ban remains a high priority. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) obtained FDA emails via the Freedom of Information Act, which show that the first reported adverse event for hair smoothing products in the FDA's CAERS database occurred in 1993. A complicated regulatory landscape Unlike food or drugs, cosmetics manufacturers, with the exception of color additive manufacturers, don't need FDA approval before they are put on store shelves, according to the FDA's website. Instead, the FDA relies on post-market surveillance and voluntary reporting when something goes wrong, or someone gets hurt. In 2023, chemical exposure from cosmetic products triggered the most health risk alerts issued by the European Union's monitoring network, which prompted some member nations to recall products. Yet, not a single cosmetics product was recalled in the U.S. in 2023, according to the FDA's database of recalled products. Part of the reason for this discrepancy is the difference in banned and restricted chemicals in cosmetics. Since 1976, European countries have banned or restricted over 2,500 chemicals used in cosmetics, while the FDA has banned or restricted only 11 chemicals in nearly double that timespan. Instead, the FDA issues public health alerts and sends manufacturers warning letters, which are essentially advisory notices asking for voluntary compliance. According to an FDA spokesperson earlier this year, 'the FDA can, and does, take action on unsafe cosmetics, even if the unsafe ingredients are not specifically banned or restricted.' What do ingredient labels really tell us? Until the recent passing of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act in 2022, the FDA's regulatory power over cosmetics was concentrated on labels, requiring that personal care products contain a complete and accurate list of ingredients on the packaging. The new law gives the FDA more authority to regulate product labels and production facilities and recall harmful products. Providing a list of ingredients should, in theory, allow both consumers and salon workers to make informed choices about product safety. The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act prohibits misleading labels. However, companies are not required to disclose trade secrets like 'fragrance' or 'flavor', according to the FDA's website, making it difficult to determine whether or not toxins are present. And if a hair stylist knew the dangers of a particular chemical, they would also need to be able to identify it from a lineup of what OSHA refers to as chemical 'synonyms' on product labels. Known toxins like polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) can show up as polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane, perfluorodecalin, and perfluorohexane. Formaldehyde can appear as formalin, methanal, diazolidinyl urea, morbicid acid, glyoxal, methylene glycol, glyoxylic acid, cyclopentasiloxane, and a number of other alphabet-salads. 'It's absolutely ridiculous to expect anyone to know what all of these ingredients are,' said Baedeker, a hairstylist for 25 years who claims she started getting debilitating migraines and developed symptoms of asthma after doing chemical hair straightening treatments. She points out that product labels in the U.S. don't indicate chemical concentrations, or harmful byproducts that might result when the product chemically reacts with other common hair products. 'No person on this planet is going to memorize these ingredients or know how they work together, aside from someone who is specifically a chemist making these products,' Baedeker added. Baedeker says she assumed that the hair products being sold were completely safe to use. 'If somebody said, you need to stop what you're doing or you could be so sick that—maybe you won't be dead, but you'll wish that you were—I would have made different choices,' said Pedack. 'I found out the hard way.'
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists uncover surprisingly simple way to make drinking water safer: 'This is the technology we need'
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways A team of researchers from the University of Missouri may have cracked the code on "forever chemicals" using a surprisingly common household material to remove PFAS from drinking water. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are synthetic chemicals used to manufacture everyday products from cosmetics and clothes to nonstick cookware and food packaging. These substances have made their way into the environment and even the human body. Per the Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS can be found in food and drinking water. Because PFAS are so widespread, people are commonly exposed to these chemicals through contaminated food, drinking water, and everyday products. The researchers reported that peer-reviewed studies show that exposure to PFAS could lead to health risks, including delayed development in children, decreased fertility, and cancer. On top of that, PFAS and can take anywhere from hundreds to thousands of years to break down. Professor Feng "Frank" Xiao, an associate professor in the College of Engineering, and his team found a simple solution to this problem by heating the PFAS with common granular activated carbon, a material found in household aquariums and water filters. In their study, they heated the PFAS with common GAC at 572 degrees Fahrenheit (300 degrees Celsius) and achieved 90% mineralization of the PFAS, successfully degrading the chemicals into harmless, inorganic fluorine. "Once GAC is involved, the thermal degradation of PFAS occurs much faster, and the mineralization is more intense," Xiao said. GAC is made from heated carbon-rich materials such as coal and wood and is commonly used to filter harmful chemicals from contaminated air and water. It's an effective and affordable material and can be bought online for a few dollars per pound. "It's not an expensive process compared to reverse osmosis, and it can be done at local scale with a regular furnace," Xiao explained. Scientists have spent about a decade searching for ways to remove PFAS from the environment or break them down into harmless compounds. Xiao's discovery offers a cost-effective and sustainable way to degrade PFAS into harmless fluorine, especially since GAC is affordable and reusable. How often do you worry about the quality of your drinking water? Never Sometimes Often Always Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. According to Xiao, the real-world application of his team's discovery is that now there is an efficient and effective way to filter forever chemicals and other contaminants from the water that people drink. "This is the technology we need," he said. The best thing individuals can do about forever chemicals is upgrade their cookware and choose plastic-free options for everyday products. Nonstick cookware and everyday products are often made with PFAS, so going plastic-free and switching to nonstick cookware alternatives such as cast iron reduces exposure to them. While this filtration method is still under laboratory testing, the breakthrough marks a hopeful step toward cleaner, safer water for all — and a future less marred by forever chemicals. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Investigation finds dangerous substance in samples of popular beverage: 'Very problematic to human health'
A test of a handful of popular chamomile tea brands found toxic "forever chemicals" in the bags of more than half of the samples. Consumer watchdog group Mamavation sent 13 chamomile teas from 13 popular brands to an Environmental Protection Agency-certified laboratory to test for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals." Tea leaves from seven of these samples had detectable levels of PFAS, with four of them containing quantifiable levels. The most common type of PFAS detected was PFBA. In addition, three of the tea bags tested positive for fluorine, a combination of inorganic fluoride and potential PFAS. Mamavation noted that this was not the first time PFAS has been detected in tea, pointing to a number of studies, including one of its own that found detectable PFAS in 91% of Earl Grey teas sampled. "It's disappointing to find PFAS inside chamomile tea," said Scientist Emeritus and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program at Duke University, per Mamavation. "This relaxing tea is used by millions of people around the world, and exposure to these hormone-disrupting chemicals is very problematic to human health. Let's hope these companies address this issue." PFAS refers to a group of thousands of human-made chemicals that can be found in household items such as non-stick cookware and water-resistant clothing, along with firefighting foams. These chemicals are persistent in the environment following human use, earning them the nickname "forever chemicals." Exposure to PFAS has been linked to a number of health concerns, including certain types of cancer, developmental delays in children, and decreased ability of the immune system to do its job, per the EPA. That said, we do not know the full range of dangers linked with PFAS, and new discoveries are being made all the time. For example, one study found that exposure to these chemicals can alter the expression of certain genes within the brain. Another paper tied PFAS to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women. Meanwhile, these chemicals are all around us, as they have made their way into our water supplies, food, air, and soil. In fact, one study found that more than 20% of Americans may be exposed to PFAS-laced tap water. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry asserts that most Americans already have these chemicals in their blood. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Though PFAS have earned the moniker "forever chemicals," scientists have recently discovered some groundbreaking methods to help break them down in water. For instance, one University of Illinois team found a way to remove the full spectrum of PFAS from water in a single process. Plus, certain states are enacting legislation to protect citizens from PFAS — New Hampshire recently banned ski, board, and boat waxes containing these chemicals. Meanwhile, the EPA has a strategic plan to address PFAS, but it's unclear how the agency will move forward under the Trump administration. For instance, Environmental Health News recently reported that public health advocates are worried that the administration could continue to weaken drinking water standards for these chemicals, as it already withdrew a Biden administration plan for PFAS drinking water regulations in January. You can help reduce your exposure by purchasing from PFAS-free brands, opting for nonstick cookware, and limiting your purchases of stain- or water-resistant clothing. If you're a chamomile tea lover, Mamavation recommends Celestial Seasonings Chamomile Herbal Tea, From Great Origins (FGO) Organic Chamomile Tea Bags, RISHI Chamomile Medley Organic Botanical Blend Tea Sachet, Taylors of Harrogate Organic Chamomile Caffeine-Free Herbal Infusion Tea, and TAZO Organic Calm Chamomile Herbal Tea, which all tested negative for PFAS and fluorine in the latest study. The group also listed the results for the other teas tested on its website. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
