Environmental Studies and Earth Research Institute researchers uncover regulatory gaps in products marketed to women of color.
A study led by researchers in UCSB's Environmental Studies Program and the Earth Research Institute (ERI) found that marketing labels for textured hair products often leave consumers guessing about chemical safety. Analyzing 150 products, lead author Joaquín Madrid Larrañaga and senior author Bhavna Shamasunder identified significant data gaps and potential hazards even within the “clean” aisle.
“It shows that ‘clean’ is often nothing more than a marketing term,” Larrañaga said. The analysis revealed that among the products found in safety databases, more than 90% were classified as a moderate risk to human health rather than low risk. The researchers describe this as the “environmental injustice of beauty,” where a lack of federal regulation disproportionately impacts women of color. Read the full story on The Current.
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