Independent salon air monitoring performed by one of California's leading environmental safety companies, Health Science Associates (HSA), has concluded that Cosmetologists exposure levels are more than SIX times lower than OSHA's most stringent and conservative standard for air quality safety.
On October 9, 2010, HSA performed a comprehensive Air Monitoring Study over an eight-hour period in a typical salon environment, while Cosmetologists performed multiple Brazilian Blowout professional smoothing treatments throughout the day. The table below details the results of their scientific testing.
Test Summary: The breathing air (breathing zone) of two licensed Cosmetologists was monitored while each performed two Brazilian Blowout Professional Smoothing Treatments in the same test salon, over the same eight-hour period. Their separate exposures to Formaldehyde gas in the air was determined to be 0.064 ppm and 0.073 ppm, which is well below OSHA's most stringent requirements for an eight-hour period, called the eight-hour time weighted average (TWA).
What does this mean? The safest and most stringent level of exposure set by Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is called the OSHA Action Limit and is even more conservative than their "Permissible Exposure Limit" (PEL).
The OSHA Action limit is 0.5 ppm, therefore, these two Cosmetologist's exposures were more than six times below OSHA's most conservative measure for safety where the potential for formaldehyde gas exposure is concerned.
Conclusion: These levels indicate that OSHA safe levels of exposure are NOT exceeded.
The Oregon division of OSHA’s (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) recent claims that samples of the Brazilian Blowout Professional Smoothing Solution contained between 4.85% and 10.6% Formaldehyde has been proven to be incorrect.
Doug Schoon, a leading scientist and expert who works with state, federal and international regulators to develop beauty industry related standards and regulations with regards to ingredient safety, consumer testing and cosmetics registrations/regulations, says that the test methods used by Oregon OSHA do not properly measure Formaldehyde in water based cosmetic products. The tests conducted by OSHA actually measured a completely different substance called "Methylene Glycol," and incorrectly referred to this substance as "Formaldehyde." Methylene Glycol is the key functioning ingredient used in most professional hair smoothing treatments currently on the market.
Schoon reports the following:
It is important to understand that Formaldehyde is not a cosmetic ingredient and never has been; it is a gas that cannot be added to cosmetics, and only exists in tiny trace amounts. Misunderstanding the nature of Formaldehyde has led to the incorrect belief that 37% Methylene Glycol is the same as 37% Formaldehyde, when in fact, 37% Methylene Glycol contains only trace amounts of Formaldehyde; less than 0.05% to be precise.
Flaws in the testing methods used by Oregon’s division of OSHA actually cause the creation of additional Formaldehyde that is not normally found in the product, which led to Oregon OSHA erroneously reporting levels of Formaldehyde that cannot possibly exist in the product, especially given that Formaldehyde is a gas. Once again, what OSHA is actually reporting, is the amount of Methylene Glycol in the product, not Formaldehyde.
The only method that accurately measures Formaldehyde in water based cosmetic products is called "13C-NMR," and OSHA did not conduct this particular type of testing. Had OSHA performed this test, they would have discovered that only tiny traces of Formaldehyde are detectable in these products, usually well below 0.0045%.
Health Canada is warning Canadians that Brazilian Blowout Solution manufactured by Brazilian Blowout of California has been found to contain unacceptable levels of formaldehyde. The Brazilian Blowout hair smoothing treatment is known to be available at salons across Canada.
Health Canada has received complaints of burning eyes, nose, and throat, breathing difficulties, and one report of hair loss associated with use of the product.
Testing conducted by Health Canada found that the Brazilian Blowout Solution contains 12% formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is permitted in cosmetics at less than 0.2% when used as a preservative. Formaldehyde is a known irritant, sensitizer, and is linked to cancer in humans when inhaled chronically over a long period of time. Health Canada believes that the reactions are being caused by formaldehyde becoming aerosolized during the blow drying and flat ironing stages of the treatment. Any procedure containing formaldehyde above the allowable limits places clients and stylists at increased risk.
Who is affected: Consumers receiving hair smoothing treatments using Brazilian Blowout, and stylists performing the treatment may experience reactions of burning eyes, nose, throat, and breathing troubles.
What Health Canada is doing: Health Canada is working with the exclusive Canadian distributor to address concerns regarding Brazilian Blowout Solution and to stop distribution of this product to salons in Canada. Health Canada is also informing consumers of the risk associated with this product.
Brazilian Blowout’s exclusive manufacturer of its Professional Smoothing Solution has performed a series of in-depth tests, using state-of-the-art technology to further examine the components of this formula. Tests were conducted at room temperature, and at 450 degree (F) to simulate the conditions found in the salon when the product is used with a flat iron. Both test results show that there are trace elements of formaldehyde at a level of less than .0002%, which is 10,000 times less than the daily dosage level in Prop 65 (the Clean Air and Water Act). A level of .0002% (2/10,000ths) is considered safe and allows for use of the term “formaldehyde-free.”
Please understand that formaldehyde is a naturally occurring element that exists all around us. From the water we drink, to the purest essential oil and everything in between, there is no escaping extremely small amounts of the various forms that exist in nature. While we humans are constantly exposed, it is the level of exposure that determines whether or not we are safe. California Proposition 65, otherwise known as the Clean Air and Water Act, sets the allowable dosage at 40 parts per million. These recent tests yield formaldehyde levels 10,000 times “less” than that which is considered safe. As we continue our investigation into the Oregon division of OSHA’s claim, we are confident that all misinformation and inaccurate data will soon be dispelled. We will continue to update you as information becomes available.
Brazilian Blowout’s exclusive manufacturer of its Professional Smoothing Solution has performed a series of in-depth tests, using state-of-the-art technology to further examine the components of this formula.
Tests were conducted at room temperature, and at 450 degree (F) to simulate the conditions found in the salon when the product is used with a flat iron. Both test results show that there are trace elements of formaldehyde at a level of less than .0002%, which is 10,000 times less than the daily dosage level in Prop 65 (the Clean Air and Water Act). A level of .0002% (2/10,000ths) is considered safe and allows for use of the term “formaldehyde-free.”
Please understand that formaldehyde is a naturally occurring element that exists all around us. From the water we drink, to the purest essential oil and everything in between, there is no escaping extremely small amounts of the various forms that exist in nature.
While we humans are constantly exposed, it is the level of exposure that determines whether or not we are safe. California Proposition 65, otherwise known as the Clean Air and Water Act, sets the allowable dosage at 40 parts per million. These recent tests yield formaldehyde levels 10,000 times “less” than that which is considered safe.
As we continue our investigation into the Oregon division of OSHA’s claim, we are confident that all misinformation and inaccurate data will soon be dispelled.
We will continue to update you as information becomes available.
As the investigation of the OSHA claim continues, Brazilian Blowout is pleased to announce that the manufacturer of the Brazilian Blowout Professional Solution, Cadiveu, stands behind the integrity of its products citing that "recent independent lab tests, conducted by Cadiveu's US division, again confirm that this professional solution does not contain formaldehyde."
We will continue to release updates on the investigation as they become available.
So whats all the media buzz about BB containing Formaldehyde you ask (see ABC News. Along with most hot items or celebrities comes a ton of speculations. It's not surprising that with BB's raising popularity and recent success, competition in the hair care market is becoming tough for brands promising similar benefits. With the rise in demand for Brazilian Blowout products, controversy has started to take off, but the creators stand strong behind the fact that BB IS FORMALDEHYDE FREE. Keep checking www.brazilian-blowout.ca for all your updated BB news.
Here at Modern Beauty, the safety of our products, stylists and consumers is our top priority.
As a result of the Oregon division of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) recent claim, Brazilian Blowout Canada is conducting a separate investigation to ensure that accurate data is released to the public. With regards to this recent claim, the actual source of the formulation tested has not been identified, and was not submitted by the Brazilian Blowout Company itself. Because OSHA did not request a sample from the company directly, there is no reason to believe that the formulation tested and found positive was indeed Brazilian Blowout product. This represents a clear violation of proper testing protocol, and this gross negligence on the part of OSHA clearly invalidates any result that may have come from this testing. Please stay connected as we will continue to provide you with updated information.
We will continue to release updates on the investigation as they become available
At Brazilian Blowout, the safety of our products, stylists and consumers is our number one priority. We stand behind the integrity of our product, and affirm that our professional solution is indeed formaldehyde-free.
As a result of the Oregon division of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) recent claim, Brazilian Blowout is conducting a thorough investigation of these allegations to ensure that accurate data is released to the public.
With regards to OSHA's claim, the actual source of the formulation tested has not been identified, and was not submitted by the Brazilian Blowout company itself. Because OSHA did not request a sample from the company directly, there is no reason to believe that the formulation tested and found positive for traces of formaldehyde was indeed Brazilian Blowout product. This represents a clear violation of proper testing protocol, and this gross negligence on the part of OSHA invalidates all findings that have been released as a result of OSHA's testing.
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