Brazilian Blowout - A Case Study in Failed Cosmetics Regulation - Resources for Healthy Children www.scribd.com/doc/254613619 - For more information, Please see Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children www.scribd.com/doc/254613963 - Gardening with Volcanic Rock Dust www.scribd.com/doc/254613846 - Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech www.scribd.com/doc/254613765 - Free School Gardening Art Posters www.scribd.com/doc/254613694 - Increase Food Production with Companion Planting in your School Garden www.scribd.com/doc/254609890 - Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success www.scribd.com/doc/254613619 - City Chickens for your Organic School Garden www.scribd.com/doc/254613553 - Huerto Ecológico, Tecnologías Sostenibles, Agricultura Organica www.scribd.com/doc/254613494 - Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide www.scribd.com/doc/254613410 - Free Organic Gardening Publications www.scribd.com/doc/254609890 ~

1. May 2011
Brazilian Blowout: A Case Study in Failed Cosmetics Regulation
The laws overseeing the cosmetics industry fail to protect salon
workers and consumers from hazardous chemicals in cosmetics
products, such as carcinogens in hair straighteners. Since 2007,
scientists and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have
known that Brazilian Blowout hair products contain dangerously
high levels of formaldehyde (even though labeled ‘formaldehyde
free’), resulting in scores of injuries and exposing countless
people to a chemical that increases their risk of getting cancer.
Yet the product is still on the market. And Brazilian Blowout is
only one of many similar hair straighteners that contain
formaldehyde. This scandal is a perfect example of why we need
stronger oversight of the cosmetic industry. To address the gaps
in cosmetic safety, lawmakers and public health advocates are
calling for federal action.
How did Brazilian Blowout end up on the market?
Lack of oversight from the FDA.
• Unlike in Canada or the European Union, it is perfectly
legal in the United States for personal care products to
contain unlimited amounts of formaldehyde.
• The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Board, the industry’s
own safety panel, has recommended there be no more
than 0.2 percent formaldehyde in cosmetics, but the
recommendation is voluntary and not enforceable.
Why is this dangerous product still being used?
Lack of FDA authority.
• Despite the high levels of formaldehyde found in Brazilian Blowout, the FDA does not have the authority
to issue a recall. The FDA can only issue a voluntary recall for cosmetics products. Canada, France and
several other countries banned Brazilian Blowout soon after health effects were known.
• The United States is falling well behind other countries when it comes to regulating cosmetics. The
European Union’s cosmetics directive restricts formaldehyde concentrations to 0.2 percent and has
banned more than 1,100 chemicals for use in cosmetics. The United States has banned just 11.
Over the past two years, the Food and
Drug Administration received 47
complaints of adverse reactions and
injuries from salon workers and clients
who used Brazilian-style straightening
treatments. Numerous other salon
workers have made complaints to state
governments about the impact from
using Brazilian Blowout.
Examples of the harm caused by
Brazilian Blowout include: hair loss,
vomiting, blisters, sore throat, dizziness,
difficulty breathing, bloody nose, rashes,
itching, welting, chest pain, and burning
in the eyes, throat and lungs.

2. May 2011
Page 2 of 2
Why are salon workers and consumers still at risk?
Lack of information and accountability.
• Although the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act requires cosmetics to bear ingredient labels, the
requirement does not apply to salon products.
• According to the Federal Hazard Communication Standard, ingredients like formaldehyde must be listed
on Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). But the MSDS for Brazilian Blowout’s “formaldehyde-free”
product did not list formaldehyde even though the product contained the chemical in high amounts.
• The maker of Brazilian Blowout has been telling salons that its product is natural and safe for use,
despite evidence to the contrary.
The solution?
Stronger federal oversight that includes:
• Full ingredient listings on product labels, including products used in salons
• Required safety assessments that protect vulnerable populations
• FDA recall authority for personal care products
• A phaseout on the use of ingredients that are known carcinogens, genetic mutagens and reproductive
toxins
For more information, visit the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (www.safecosmetics.org), Environmental
Working Group’s report, Flat Out Risky (www.ewg.org/hair-straighteners) or Women’s Voices for the Earth
(www.womensvoices.org/our-work/healthy-salons/impact-laws/brazilian-blowout).
Media contacts:
• Jamie Silberberger, Women’s Voices for the Earth, jamies@womensvoices.org
• Stacy Malkan, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, stacy@safecosmetics.org
• Leeann Brown, Environmental Working Group, leeann@ewg.org
Legislative contacts
• Jamie Silberberger, Women’s Voices for the Earth, jamies@womensvoices.org
• Jason Rano, Environmental Working Group, jrano@ewg.org
• Nancy Buermeyer, Breast Cancer Fund, nbuermeyer@breastcancerfund.org
Excerpts from FDA Injury Reports
• flu-like symptoms including headaches and vomiting…clusters of her hair fell out…Persistent
vomiting, difficulty breathing, chest, eye and nose irritation… – FDA injury report 117280
• nasal discharge, sputum, sinus drainage, coughing, inhalation pneumonitis, bronchitis, hoarseness,
memory problems and fatigue… – FDA injury report 133374
• blisters on the back of her head, severe dizziness that progressed until she was unable to walk
without a walker, persistent vomiting… – FDA injury report 132033
The FDA Injury reports date as early as January 2009. See: http://static.ewg.org/reports/2011/brazil_blowout/PDF/FDA_keratin_reports.pdf