Latest news with #RobinDodson
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
New study finds cancer-causing chemicals in popular beauty products for women of color
Imagine being exposed to carcinogens while indulging in some personal care products! New research has shed light on cancer-causing chemicals being found in a variety of women's beauty products, particularly in those marketed to women of color. The new study , published recently in Environmental Science & Toxicology Letters, analyzed the personal care products used by Black and Latina women and found that more than half used products that contained formaldehyde-releasing chemicals. What does the research say? A recent study has highlighted that many Black and Latina women frequently use beauty products containing cancer-causing chemicals, extending beyond just hair straightening products. Operation Sindoor Armed forces maintaining strong vigil after Pak ceasefire breach: MEA Pakistan violates ceasefire: Loud explosions, sirens haunt J&K- what we know so far Behind the scenes of ceasefire: Calls from Pakistan, Washington The study involved surveys from 70 Black and Latina women in Los Angeles, who submitted pictures of the ingredient labels of personal care products they used via a dedicated app. Alarmingly, the study found that 53% of participants utilized at least one product that listed formaldehyde releasers. Many reported using these products daily or several times per week. The carcinogen was identified in 58% of the haircare products surveyed, but it was also found in various shampoos, lotions, body soaps, and eyelash glues. What are the findings? The findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters, indicate that several lotions, cleansers, and other beauty items marketed to these demographics contain formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, substances that are recognized as carcinogens. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) previously indicated that formaldehyde poses an "unreasonable risk of injury to human health." Prior studies have already documented this carcinogen's presence in hair straightening products, especially affecting Black women and women of color disproportionately. This latest research is significant as it expands the known range of products containing formaldehyde. The experts' take: According to Dr. Robin Dodson, the lead author of the study, the implications are serious: 'These chemicals are in products we use all the time, all over our bodies. Repeated exposures like these can add up and cause serious harm.' She emphasizes the challenge for consumers in identifying which products contain formaldehyde, as many preservatives have complex names and do not explicitly state "formaldehyde" on labels. One preservative to be cautious of is DMDM hydantoin. While the European Union and ten U.S. states have enacted or proposed bans on formaldehyde, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggested a national ban in 2023, but no action has been finalized. Dr. Dodson argues for an even more comprehensive approach: 'Ideally, companies shouldn't be putting these chemicals in products in the first place.' Study finds cancer-causing chemicals in Delhi bread Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alarming number of women's shampoos, lotions and body soap found to have this cancer-causing chemical
A new study has found that an alarming number of personal care products contain a known carcinogen. Formaldehyde has been linked to cancer — but the chemical, and preservatives that release it, are often added to personal care products to extend their shelf life. And new research found this chemical lurking in items like shampoo, lotions, body soap and eyelash glue. In recent years, the conversation about formaldehyde exposure has largely focused on hair relaxers. Boston University researchers found that postmenopausal black women who used relaxers most often had a greater than 50% increased risk of uterine cancer compared to those who never or seldom used them. This new study shows that the problem extends even further. 'We found that this isn't just about hair straighteners,' says lead author Dr. Robin Dodson, an exposure scientist at Silent Spring Institute. 'These chemicals are in products we use all the time, all over our bodies. Repeated exposures like these can add up and cause serious harm.' The study, published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, had black and Latina women log their product use for about a week, sharing photos of the ingredient labels. The team team analyzed over 1,100 product ingredient lists looking for formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. Fifty-three percent of participants reported using at least one personal care product that listed formaldehyde releasers on its label. What's more troubling is that study participants applied many of these products daily or multiple times per week. Researchers found DMDM hydantoin to be the most common formaldehyde-releasing preservative, with roughly 47% of skincare products and 58% of hair products with formaldehyde-releasing preservatives containing DMDM hydantoin. However, as Dodson notes, this list is not definitive. 'Those are just the ones we knew to look for. There could be more that we're not aware of,' she said. This research was part of the larger Taking Stock Study, a collaboration between Occidental College, Black Women for Wellness, Silent Spring and Columbia University that investigates how exposures to chemicals in beauty products contribute to health inequities for black women and Latinas in California. While many women have learned to avoid beauty products with formaldehyde on the label, many are uninformed about formaldehyde releasers. 'We're trying to do the right thing. But there needs to be more government oversight. We shouldn't have to be chemists to figure out what kinds of products will make us sick,' said Janette Robinson Flint, executive director of Black Women for Wellness. Dodson agrees that it is challenging for consumers to identify formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, as 'They have long, weird, funny names, and they typically don't have the word formaldehyde in them.' Silent Spring's website contains tips on how to avoid formaldehyde releasers and an app called Detox Me that is designed to help consumers choose safer alternatives. To reduce exposure, Dodson believes companies should be required, as they are in Europe, to add warning labels to products that contain formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. Better than a warning, says Dodson, would be an outright ban. 'Ideally, companies shouldn't be putting these chemicals in products in the first place.' Dodson and her research team encourage consumers to advocate for better, safer legislation. In kind, the European Union and at least 10 US states have banned or proposed to ban formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers in personal care products. In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration proposed a national ban on formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers in hair straighteners, but it has yet to be enacted.
New York Post
09-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Alarming number of women's shampoos, lotions and body soap found to have this cancer-causing chemical
A new study has found that an alarming number of personal care products contain a known carcinogen. Formaldehyde has been linked to cancer — but the chemical, and preservatives that release it, are often added to personal care products to extend their shelf life. And new research found this chemical lurking in items like shampoo, lotions, body soap, and eyelash glue. 3 In recent years, the conversation about formaldehyde exposure has largely focused on hair relaxers. Prostock-studio – In recent years, the conversation about formaldehyde exposure has largely focused on hair relaxers. Boston University researchers found that postmenopausal Black women who used relaxers most often had a greater than 50% increased risk of uterine cancer compared to those who never or seldom used them. This new study shows that the problem extends even further. 'We found that this isn't just about hair straighteners,' says lead author Dr. Robin Dodson, an exposure scientist at Silent Spring Institute. 'These chemicals are in products we use all the time, all over our bodies. Repeated exposures like these can add up and cause serious harm.' The study, published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, had Black and Latina women log their product use for about a week, sharing photos of the ingredient labels. The team team analyzed over 1,100 product ingredient lists looking for formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. Fifty-three percent of participants reported using at least one personal care product that listed formaldehyde releasers on its label. What's more troubling is that study participants applied many of these products daily or multiple times per week. 3 While many women have learned to avoid beauty products with formaldehyde on the label, many are uninformed about formaldehyde releasers. – Researchers found DMDM hydantoin to be the most common formaldehyde-releasing preservative, with roughly 47% of skincare products and 58% of hair products with formaldehyde-releasing preservatives containing DMDM hydantoin. However, as Dodson notes, this list is not definitive. 'Those are just the ones we knew to look for. There could be more that we're not aware of,' she said. This research was part of the larger Taking Stock Study, a collaboration between Occidental College, Black Women for Wellness, Silent Spring, and Columbia University that investigates how exposures to chemicals in beauty products contribute to health inequities for Black women and Latinas in California. While many women have learned to avoid beauty products with formaldehyde on the label, many are uninformed about formaldehyde releasers. 3 Dodson and her research team encourage consumers to advocate for better, safer legislation. F8 \ Suport Ukraine – 'We're trying to do the right thing. But there needs to be more government oversight. We shouldn't have to be chemists to figure out what kinds of products will make us sick,' said Janette Robinson Flint, executive director of Black Women for Wellness told Dodson agrees that it is challenging for consumers to identify formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, as 'They have long, weird, funny names, and they typically don't have the word formaldehyde in them.' Silent Spring's website contains tips on how to avoid formaldehyde releasers and an app called Detox Me that is designed to help consumers choose safer alternatives. To reduce exposure, Dodson believes companies should be required, as they are in Europe, to add warning labels to products that contain formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. Better than a warning, says Dodson, would be an outright ban. 'Ideally, companies shouldn't be putting these chemicals in products in the first place.' Dodson and her research team encourage consumers to advocate for better, safer legislation. In kind, the European Union and at least 10 U.S. states have banned or proposed to ban formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers in personal care products. In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration proposed a national ban on formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers in hair straighteners, but it has yet to be enacted.
Boston Globe
07-05-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
How everyday beauty products could pose a toxic health threat
The study monitored 70 Black and Latina women as they used over 1,100 personal care products, averaging 17 products a day. According to the research, approximately 53 percent of the participants used products with preservatives that release formaldehyde. Advertisement Some women used multiple products containing the preservatives, while others used products such as lotions and hand soaps multiple times a day. And more than 70 percent of the formaldehyde-releasing products were used at least twice over the study period. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Robin Dodson, the associate director of research operations at the Silent Spring Institute and the study's lead author, said that while a lot of necessary attention has been paid to products that are used occasionally, there needs to be a greater focus on everyday products. 'I'm really concerned that we have a carcinogen that is basically intentionally being released into these products,' Dodson said. 'These chemicals are in products we use all the time, all over our bodies. Repeated exposures like these can add up and cause serious harm.' Advertisement Tesia Williams, a spokesperson for the Personal Care Products Council, a national trade association representing cosmetics and personal care products companies, said that formaldehyde-releasing agents are not equivalent to formaldehyde and do not present the concerns associated with breathing formaldehyde. She added that the agents have been used for decades and 'are widely considered safe and effective in protecting consumer personal care products against a broad spectrum of microbial contamination.' Researchers found formaldehyde-releasing preservatives in dozens of everyday items, including 20 body lotions, six body soaps, and three shampoos. The preservatives were found in hair products such as gels, edge controls, oils, and curl creams that are routinely used by Black women, as well as in eyeliners and eyelash glues. One eyelash glue specifically listed formaldehyde as an ingredient. Dodson's study is the latest entry in a growing body of research on hair straightening chemicals and other personal care products marketed to women of color. Many of these products contain hazardous chemicals that are linked to a range of serious health issues, including breast cancer, ovarian and uterine cancers, fibroids, and other reproductive harms. In 2022, a groundbreaking study showed a link between the use of hair relaxers and the increased risk of developing uterine cancer among Black women. David Andrews, the acting chief science officer at the Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization, said that 'formaldehyde and chemicals that release formaldehyde both pose significant health concerns' and have been 'linked to higher rates of skin allergies and sensitivities.' The European Union banned the use of formaldehyde in cosmetics in 2009, though formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are permitted with restrictions and labeling requirements. In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration proposed banning the use of formaldehyde as an ingredient in hair relaxers, but failed to meet an April 2024 deadline. Advertisement The FDA did not respond to a request for comment. In the absence of federal regulations, some states have moved to ban formaldehyde in cosmetic products. California's ban went into effect Jan. 1, and Washington state has proposed restrictions that could be adopted this year. Researchers say that the study points to critical gaps in how personal care products are regulated in the United States and their disproportionate health impacts on women of color. Kizzy Charles-Guzman, the chief executive of Center for Environmental Health, an advocacy group, said that without stronger protections, the health and well-being of women of color will continue to be compromised. 'Women, and particularly women of color, are impacted not just by what's on the shelves, but by how these products are marketed to us - and by the glaring lack of federal regulation that allows toxic ingredients to be used without meaningful oversight or clear labeling,' Charles-Guzman said. Dodson said warning labels could help steer people away from personal items containing formaldehyde. She also encouraged consumers to look at the ingredients label, but acknowledged that many formaldehyde-releasing preservatives have obscure names that could be challenging for shoppers to avoid. 'We need some regulatory steps to really make sure that we can protect ourselves, because we should not be putting the burden on consumers to figure out these long, complicated names whenever they're standing in the aisle of a store,' Dodson said.
Scottish Sun
07-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Shampoo and three other beauty products linked to cancer-causing chemicals, warn scientists
Find out the toxic chemicals in beauty products you should avoid below TOXIC TRAITS Shampoo and three other beauty products linked to cancer-causing chemicals, warn scientists Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BEAUTY products in the US and UK could be putting you at risk of cancer-causing chemicals, warn scientists. In recent years, there have been growing concerns about the exposure of formaldehyde in personal care products. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Recent studies have linked exposure to formaldehyde in hair relaxers to increased risk of uterine cancer Credit: Getty Recent studies have linked exposure to formaldehyde in hair relaxers to increased risk of uterine and breast cancer among Black women. Now, a new study has demonstrated formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are present in a wide range of beauty products, including shampoo, lotions, body soap, and even eyelash glue. Lead author Dr Robin Dodson, an exposure scientist at Silent Spring Institute, said: "We found that this isn't just about hair straighteners. "These chemicals are in products we use all the time, all over our bodies. "Repeated exposures like these can add up and cause serious harm." Formaldehyde is a colourless, strong-smelling gas often used in cosmetics for its preservative properties. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are often used as an alternative - these are chemicals that slowly release formaldehyde over time and serve the same purpose. As part of the study, the researchers recruited 70 Black women and Latinas living in the Los Angeles area and asked them to track their use of personal care products over a period of five to seven days. Each time participants used a product, they logged the information using a smartphone app developed by Silent Spring. The app also prompted participants to take a photo of each ingredient label. The 6 everyday items 'poisoning' you with toxic plastics linked to cancer Co-author Dr Elissia Franklin, an analytical chemist at Silent Spring, says previous studies on people's use of personal care products have relied on imprecise surveys, asking participants questions like, 'Did you use lotion in the past 24 hours?' But lotions can vary widely - some might have a few natural ingredients, like beeswax and shea butter, while others might have many toxic chemicals like formaldehyde releasers, phthalates, and parabens, says Franklin. 'We wanted to capture all that information,' she explains. 'Everybody uses lotions. Saying 'I used lotion' is like saying 'I am human!' We wanted a much more detailed picture—an accurate reading of all the chemicals in that lotion, and any other products the women were using.' The team analysed over 1,100 products, looking for formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasing preservatives in the products' ingredient lists. Fifty-three percent of participants reported using at least one personal care product that listed formaldehyde releasers on its label. And many of the products with formaldehyde releasers that participants reported using were applied daily or multiple times per week. 2 Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are present in a wide range of beauty products, including shampoo, lotions, body soap, and eyelash glue Credit: Getty DMDM hydantoin was the most common formaldehyde releasing preservative. Roughly 47 per cent of skincare products and 58 per cent of hair products with formaldehyde-releasing preservatives contained DMDM hydantoin. The team also identified several others, but Dodson stresses that their list is not definitive. 'Those are just the ones we knew to look for. There could be more that we're not aware of,' Franklin says. In the UK, formaldehyde is regulated under both the Cosmetic Products Regulation and the UK REACH regulations, with the UK Cosmetics Regulation being based on the EU Cosmetics Regulation. While formaldehyde is generally prohibited in cosmetics, its use is allowed in certain nail hardening products, but with specific labelling requirements. Formaldehyde-releasing substances are also regulated, requiring labelling when the released formaldehyde concentration exceeds a certain threshold. Dodson says one way to reduce exposure in the US would be to require that companies add warning labels to formaldehyde-releasing products like they do in Europe. She agrees that it can be hard for the average consumer—and even chemists—to identify a formaldehyde releasing preservative on a label. 'They have long, weird, funny names, and they typically don't have the word formaldehyde in them,' she says. While warning labels might be a good first step, Dodson says banning the use of formaldehyde releasers altogether would be the best-case scenario. 'Ideally, companies shouldn't be putting these chemicals in products in the first place," she adds.
