Attorney Tope Leyimu Discusses Proposed FDA ban on Hair Relaxer Products Containing Harmful Chemicals

This episode features an interview with Attorney Temitope (Tope) Leyimu, a toxic exposure attorney at Motley Rice  who is leading a lawsuit over hair relaxing products that contain harmful chemicals.
 
Hair relaxing products are used for straightening/smoothening hair and many contain harmful formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing and other toxic chemicals. The FDA recently issued a recommendation for the recall of chemical hair relaxers containing harmful chemicals. While the agency has initiated its rule-making process, a ban hasn’t been implemented yet.

The products, which have historically been targeted primarily at black and brown women of African descent, have drawn major concern due to their links with reproductive-related cancers such as ovarian, cervical and uterine cancer. An October 2022 study by the National Institutes of Health, revealed that women using chemical straighteners face a 150 percent increased risk of uterine cancer.

Attorneys leading the hair relaxer lawsuit including Leyimu say the FDA proposal is a significant step in advancing public health for women, particularly black and brown women, who are disproportionately impacted by many of these products that are alleged to be harmful.

Tune into the episode to learn more about the litigation, including the historic racialized marketing of harmful hair relaxing products to women of African descent in the US.

If you or anyone you know may have been affected by these products, you can complete the webform to contact Motley Rice if you would like to talk to someone about the lawsuit.

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