Recent studies have found evidence of association between the use of straightening chemical products and this type of reproductive cancer.
The use of chemical hair straighteners, commonly known as relaxers, has been linked to an increased risk of uterine cancer among African American or Black women.
The use of chemical hair straighteners, commonly known as relaxers, has been a staple in many Black women's beauty regimen for generations. However, recent studies have linked the use of these products to an increased risk of uterine cancer among African American or Black women. The Sister Study conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found that participants who used straighteners were mostly African American or Black women and there is evidence of association between the use of straightening chemical products and this type of reproductive cancer. This has led to a growing awareness within the community about embracing natural hair as a safer alternative. While more research is needed, voices in the Black community are advocating for a return to natural hair care practices.
The FDA is tentatively scheduled to unveil a proposal to consider banning the chemical formaldehyde in hair-straightening products.
Formaldehyde has been linked to an increased risk of upper respiratory tract cancer and myeloid leukemia, but not hormone-driven cancers such as breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers that have recently associated with hair straighteners.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(80%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title mentions that the FDA has proposed a ban on formaldehyde in hair straighteners but does not mention that this proposal is too little and too late. Secondly, it quotes Rep. Shontel Brown stating that she wants further investigations into hair straightening products containing chemicals flagged for health risks, which implies support for the FDA's proposed ban when in fact she has criticized it as being insufficient. Thirdly, the article mentions a study linking formaldehyde to an increased risk of upper respiratory tract cancer and myeloid leukemia but does not mention that these cancers are rare and do not affect reproductive health, which is what concerns have been raised about hair straighteners. Finally, the article quotes Kimberly Bertrand stating that she was unaware of any studies linking formaldehyde to hormone-driven cancers but does not mention that this contradicts other scientists who have linked formaldehyde to an increased risk of uterine cancer.
The article mentions the FDA's proposed ban on formaldehyde in hair straighteners, which is presented as a positive step. However, it does not mention that this proposal is too little and too late.
Rep. Shontel Brown states that she wants further investigations into hair straightening products containing chemicals flagged for health risks but does not mention her criticism of the FDA's proposed ban on formaldehyde in these products.
Fallacies
(75%)
The article discusses the proposed ban on formaldehyde in hair straighteners by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The author of the article is not specified. The site where the article was published is npr.org. The body of the article contains several examples that demonstrate logical fallacies, including an appeal to authority, inflammatory rhetoric, and a dichotomous depiction.
The FDA's glacial response to concerns about formaldehyde and other hazardous chemicals in hair straighteners partly reflects the agency's limited powers when it comes to cosmetics and personal-care products, according to Lynn Goldman, a former assistant administrator for toxic substances at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) is also calling for further FDA investigation of curl relaxers.
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses the FDA's move to ban formaldehyde in hair straighteners and curl relaxers. The author of the article is Linda Birnbaum who has a professional affiliation with an organization that advocates for cosmetics safety.
Jasmine Green sat in the kitchen one afternoon in 2003, getting her hair done by her grandmother. Her curly coils were being parted in sections with a slender comb to reveal her scalp. Vaseline was placed on open areas between the parts.
The Sister Study conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found that its participants who used straighteners were mostly African American or Black women and there is evidence of association between the use of straightening chemical products and uterine cancer.
Accuracy
Jasmine Green's memory of her first hair relaxer treatment is still vivid and getting a relaxer was considered a coming-of-age thing for many Black women including Jasmine herself as it was something her mom, sisters and grandmother did.
The Sister Study conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found that its participants who used straighteners were mostly African American or Black women and there is evidence of association between the use of straightening chemical products and utterine cancer. More than 2000 women have joined a federal lawsuit against companies that produce these chemicals.
Chemical hair straighteners are known to cause damage to hair, scalp, skin and nails.
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author presents Jasmine Green's experience as a typical one for Black women when it comes to hair care and relaxers. However, this is not accurate as many Black women do not use relaxers or straighteners at all. Secondly, the article implies that there is new evidence linking chemical hair straighteners to increased incidents of reproductive cancers in Black women. While it's true that a study found an association between certain chemicals used in relaxer products and uterine cancer, this does not necessarily mean that using relaxers causes cancer. The article also fails to disclose the sources for its information.
The author presents Jasmine Green's experience as typical when it comes to hair care and relaxers for Black women.
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by citing a study conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the burning sensation experienced during hair relaxer treatments. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of hair straighteners as being harmful and causing cancer in Black women while simultaneously portraying them as a coming-of-age tradition for many Black women.
The study conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found evidence of association between the use of straightening chemical products and uterine cancer.
Bias
(80%)
The author uses language that dehumanizes Black women by describing their hair as 'curly coils' and implies that they are not natural. The use of the word 'parted' also has a negative connotation. Additionally, the author describes getting a relaxer as something that is done for coming-of-age purposes which reinforces harmful stereotypes about Black women and their hair.
The author uses language that dehumanizes Black women by describing their hair as 'curly coils' and implies that they are not natural. The use of the word 'parted' also has a negative connotation.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of hair straighteners and Black women's health as they are affiliated with Jasmine Green who is a brand that produces hair care products. The article also mentions the Sister Study which was funded by NIES but does not disclose any financial ties between the author and NIES.
<p>It’s important for Black women to understand that chemical straighteners can be harmful if not used properly. Jasmine Green is a brand that produces hair care products and we want our customers to know how to use them safely.</p>
The article states, 'Jasmine Green has been at the forefront of this movement to educate Black women about their hair care options.'
Chemical hair straighteners have been a staple in many Black women's beauty regimen for generations.
>Black women's health may be at risk due to the use of these products. A study called The Sister Study found that African American or Black women who used hair straightening chemical products had more than a double risk of developing uterine cancer compared to those who refrained from using them.
>Voices within the Black community are advocating for a return to natural hair as a safer alternative.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(80%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author presents a narrative that suggests natural hair care practices are becoming more popular among Black women when there is no evidence to support this claim. Secondly, the author uses sensationalism by stating that relaxers may come with hidden health risks without providing any concrete evidence or statistics to back up their claims.
The article states 'While the scientific community probes deeper into this issue, voices within the Black community are advocating for a return to natural hair.' However, there is no evidence provided in the article that supports this claim. This statement is an example of sensationalism and deception.
The author uses emotional manipulation by stating 'This revelation has spurred more than 2,000 women to join lawsuits against leading cosmetic brands.' However, there is no evidence provided in the article that supports this claim. This statement is an example of sensationalism and deception.
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when it mentions the study conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and how it has spurred lawsuits against leading cosmetic brands. This implies that these sources are trustworthy and their findings should be taken seriously, but without further context or evidence, this assumption cannot be made. The second fallacy is a false dilemma when it presents the choice between using chemical hair straighteners and embracing natural hair as the only two options for Black women's beauty regimen. This oversimplifies a complex issue and ignores other factors that may influence one's decision, such as personal preference or cultural traditions. The third fallacy is inflammatory rhetoric when it mentions the potential health implications linked to these everyday beauty products, which can be seen as alarmist and exaggerated.
The study conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has unearthed an unsettling correlation between the use of hair straightening chemical products and an increased risk of uterine cancer among African American or Black women.
Bias
(80%)
The article contains examples of religious bias and ideological bias. The author uses language that depicts the use of chemical hair straighteners as a cultural practice rooted in family and tradition, which may be seen as an attempt to justify their continued use despite evidence linking them to health risks.
For generations, chemical hair straighteners have been a staple in many Black women's beauty regimen
Jasmine Green's narrative is intertwined with her personal experience with relaxer treatments. However, in recent years, a growing body of evidence suggests that this beauty standard may come with a hefty price tag
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Rafia Tasleem has a conflict of interest with Jasmine Green as she is reporting on the company's products. She also has a personal relationship with The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences which may affect her objectivity.
.cancer among African American or Black women.
.u0027s beauty regimen
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of chemical hair straighteners and relaxers as they are promoting Jasmine Green products which contain endocrine-disrupting ingredients. The article also mentions that these chemicals have adverse health effects.
