OSHA issues hazard alert to hair salon owners, workers on hair products that could release formaldehyde

May 19, 2011
Staff contact: Darren Suzarez

Hair Smoothing Products That Could Release Formaldehyde

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and several State OSHA programs are investigating questions and complaints from hair salon owners and workers about possible formaldehyde exposure from using Brazilian Blowout and other hair smoothing products. Some of these products have been labeled as "formaldehyde-free." Oregon’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, California's Occupational Safety and Health Administration , the Connecticut Department of Public Health, and several other state agencies have already issued warnings about these products to salon owners, stylists, other salon workers, and clients.

This Hazard Alert provides information about OSHA's investigations, the health hazards of formaldehyde, and how to protect workers using hair smoothing products that contain or release formaldehyde.