Woman Suing L’Oréal, Says Hair Straightening Products Caused Her Uterine Cancer
Photo Credits: Walmart Website
A Missouri woman is suing L’Oréal and other cosmetics companies, who she says are responsible for the cause of her uterine cancer, Insider reports.
In a press release written by Jenny Mitchell’s attorney, the 32-year-old was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2018. Mitchell, who is a black woman, says she’s been using chemical hair straighteners since the age of 10 but had no warning of the risks linked to the products. According to a study by the National Cancer Institute, deaths from uterine cancer are at their highest amongst black women.
The lawsuit states that Mitchell’s uterine cancer was caused by
“formaldehyde, metals, phthalates, and parabens, which may be more easily absorbed by the body through scalp burns and abrasions often caused by chemical straighteners.”
The suit listed the brand’s Motions, Dark & Lovely, Olive Oil Relaxer, and Organic Root Stimulator as the common denominators to Mitchell’s diagnosis.
However, Jen Novakovich, a cosmetic toxicologist who studies the effect of chemicals in beauty products, told Insider that no studies have found a cancer risk associated with phthalate used in cosmetics.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Mitchell in this case, wrote in a statement,
“Black women have long been the victims of dangerous products specifically marketed to them. Black hair has been and always will be beautiful, but Black women have been told they have to use these products to meet society’s standards.”
#Clique, what are your thoughts?
