Popular hair straightening product Brazilian Blowout contains levels of formaldehyde linked to illness in salon workers and customers, the Food and Drug Administration said in a letter issued to the company Wednesday.
Although labels on the products say they contain no formaldehyde, or are "formaldehyde free," the FDA's own tests found high levels of methylene glycol, which releases formaldehyde when treated hair is subjected to heat from a blow dryer or hot flat iron, MSNBC reports.
The FDA found levels of methylene glycol that ranged from 8.7 percent to 10.4 percent in tested samples, MSNBC reports. Levels higher than 0.1 percent require an occupational hazard alert according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, according to MSNBC.
Salon owners and customers reported eye irritation, blurred vision, headaches and fainting, MSNBC reports.
FDA officials concluded the popular product is "adulterated" and "misbranded."
"Brazilian Blowout is misbranded because its label and labeling (including instructions for use) makes misleading statements regarding the product's ingredients and fails to reveal material facts with respect to consequences that may result from the use of the product," wrote Michael W. Roosevelt, acting director of the Office of Compliance at the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, MSNBC reports.
