Hormonal activity in commonly used Black hair care products: evaluating hormone disruption as a plausible contribution to health disparities

Abstract

Background: Certain types of hair products are more commonly used by Black women.Studies show hair products contain several endocrine disrupting chemicals that are associated with adverse health outcomes. As chemical mixtures of endocrine disruptors, hair products may be hormonally active, but this remains unclear.Objective: To assess hormonal activity of commonly used Black hair products. Methods:We identified 6 commonly used hair products (used by >10% of the population) from the Greater New York Hair Products Study. We used reporter gene assays (RGAs) incorporating natural steroid receptors to evaluate estrogenic, androgenic, progestogenic, and glucocorticoid hormonal bioactivity employing an extraction method using bond elution prior to RGA assessment at dilutions from 50-500.Results: All products displayed hormonal activity, varying in the amount and effect.Three samples showed estrogen agonist properties at levels from 12.5-20ng/g estradiol equivalent concentrations (EEQ). All but one sample showed androgen antagonist properties at levels from 20-25ng/g androgen equivalent concentrations (AEQ). Four samples showed antagonistic and agonistic properties to progesterone and glucocorticoid.Significance: Hair products commonly used by Black women showed hormonal activity.Given their frequent use, exposure to hormonally active products could have implications for health outcomes and contribute to reproductive and metabolic health disparities.

Chemicals of concern in personal care products used by women of color in three communities of California

“…A survey of U.S. women found the highest use of hair products among African Americans and African Caribbeans and, according to ingredient labels, their products were more likely to contain endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) [ 24 ]. Six of the products identified from the survey were found to be hormonally active, with some having estrogenic properties, which is of concern for hormone-mediated diseases such as breast cancer [ 25 ]. Helm et al [ 26 ] measured EDCs and asthma-associated chemicals in 18 hair products identified in the same survey and found that many of these chemicals were not disclosed on the product label.…”

Differences in personal care product use by race/ethnicity among women in California: implications for chemical exposures

“…Additionally, a survey of 301 African American, African Caribbean, Hispanic, and White women in New York City found that African Americans and African Caribbeans used the largest number of hair products and that 69% of the products used contained endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including parabens [31]. A study on the hormonal activity of commonly used Black hair products found that all of the examined products had estrogen agonist properties, a concern for health outcomes associated with estrogen disruption [32]. Previous studies have also looked at the prevalence of chemical hair straightening, with one finding that in a cohort of African American women adolescence may be a time of increased usage and potential exposure among African American women [33].…”

Uncovering Evidence: Associations between Environmental Contaminants and Disparities in Women’s Health

“…However, women of all races/ethnicities were more likely to use these products compared to men [63]. Together, these studies suggest that the environmental contaminants found in hair products can negatively impact the endocrine system, potentially contributing to racial health disparities and sex-related differences in disease occurrence [59,[62][63][64].…”