This episode features an interview with Attorney Tope (Temitope) Leyimu who is a toxic exposure attorney at Motley Rice. Leyimu spoke about litigation she is leading over hair relaxing products used for straightening/smoothening hair that contain harmful formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing and other toxic chemicals. The FDA recently issued a recommendation for the recall of chemical hair relaxers containing the harmful chemicals. While the FDA has initiated its rule-making process, a ban hasn’t been implemented yet.The products, which have historically been targeted primarily at black and brown women of African descent, have drawn major concern due to their links with reproductive-related cancers such as ovarian, cervical and uterine cancer. An October 2022 study by the National Institutes of Health, revealed that women using chemical straighteners face a 150 percent increased risk of uterine cancer. Attorneys leading the hair relaxer lawsuit including Leyimu say the FDA proposal is a significant step in advancing public health for women, particularly black and brown women, who are disproportionately impacted by many of these products that are alleged to be harmful.Tune into the episode to learn more about the litigation, including the historic racialized marketing of harmful hair relaxing products to women of African descent in the US.If you or anyone you know may have been affected by these products, you can complete the webform to contact Motley Rice if you would like to talk to someone about the hair relaxer lawsuit.For more life science and medical device content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social MediaTwitter: @Xtalks Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured