FDA Bans Lead in Hair Dyes

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that lead acetate will no longer be approved as a hair color additive. Tom Neltner, the chemicals policy director at the Environmental Defense Fund, explains, “In the last several decades, we’ve seen tremendous progress in reducing exposure to lead from major sources. Given this progress and wide recognition that there is no safe level of exposure, it may seem unbelievable that common hair dyes contain the neurotoxin—putting those who use the product and their children at risk… We now know that the approved use of lead acetate in adult hair dyes no longer meets our safety standard.” The FDA notes that companies have twelve months to reformulate hair dye products that contain lead acetate, which will put an end to the only remaining legal use of this neurotoxin in cosmetic products in the United States. Food and Drug Administration, October 2018