A leading scientist has hit back at claims by the Canadian government that a hair treatment called Brazilian Blowout Solutions includes "unacceptable levels of formaldehyde".
Doug Schoon, an expert who works with state, federal and international regulators to develop beauty industry related standards and regulations, disputed the reports which caused a considerable stir after Canadians were warned the popular treatment was unsafe.
"It is important to understand that formaldehyde is not a cosmetic ingredient and never has been," he stated. "It is a gas that cannot be added to cosmetics, and only exists in tiny trace amounts." He added that the testing methods were the root of the problem. "Flaws in the testing methods used by Oregons division of OSHA actually cause the creation of additional formaldehyde that is not normally found in the product," he insisted, "which led to Oregon OSHA erroneously reporting levels of formaldehyde that cannot possibly exist in the product, especially given that formaldehyde is a gas."
Schoon directly addressed the research conducted by Health Canada, which claimed the treatment contained 12% formaldehyde 60 times the level permitted in cosmetics when used as a preservative.
The debate continues to rage on both sides. Health Canada is currently working with Brazilian Blowout Solutions' Canadian distributor to halt further distribution within in the country.
Doug Schoon, an expert who works with state, federal and international regulators to develop beauty industry related standards and regulations, disputed the reports which caused a considerable stir after Canadians were warned the popular treatment was unsafe.
"It is important to understand that formaldehyde is not a cosmetic ingredient and never has been," he stated. "It is a gas that cannot be added to cosmetics, and only exists in tiny trace amounts." He added that the testing methods were the root of the problem. "Flaws in the testing methods used by Oregons division of OSHA actually cause the creation of additional formaldehyde that is not normally found in the product," he insisted, "which led to Oregon OSHA erroneously reporting levels of formaldehyde that cannot possibly exist in the product, especially given that formaldehyde is a gas."
Schoon directly addressed the research conducted by Health Canada, which claimed the treatment contained 12% formaldehyde 60 times the level permitted in cosmetics when used as a preservative.
The debate continues to rage on both sides. Health Canada is currently working with Brazilian Blowout Solutions' Canadian distributor to halt further distribution within in the country.
