In a landmark investigation, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) discovered that chemical hair relaxers, commonly used by millions of women, particularly African Americans, are linked to a heightened risk of uterine and ovarian cancers along with other hormone-related diseases. This revelation, established via the extensive “Sister Study”, has catalyzed a flurry of lawsuits against manufacturers of these cosmetic products.
The Sister Study, which examined over 50,000 sister pairs primarily to identify breast cancer triggers, inadvertently uncovered that frequent use of chemical hair relaxers more than four times a year led to a significant increase in the rate of uterine and ovarian cancers. This data implies that the chronic exposure to the potent mix of chemicals in these products — known for breaking down the protein structure of hair to relax curls — could be the culprit.
Central to the issue are the endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) like phthalates, often enveloped in these products under tags like “fragrances” and “perfumes”. EDCs disrupt hormonal operations, mimicking or blocking natural hormones which can trigger adverse health effects including reproductive issues and cancers.
Following the NIH’s publication in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in October 2022, legal actions began materializing rapidly. In response, a new class-action Multi-District Litigation (MDL) was consolidated in February 2023 in the Northern District of Illinois. Presided over by Judge Mary M. Rowland, the MDL was pushed despite opposition from major cosmetic firms, including L’Oreal, due to the benefits of centralized pretrial proceedings.
The initial grouping of lawsuits expanded from a mere nine to a sprawling network of 53 by the establishment of the MDL, reflecting the widespread usage of these products among women who often changed brands throughout their lives. This complex factual backdrop made the centralization of the lawsuits a practical move to efficiently manage the increasing scope of litigation.
From the beginning of 2023, the pace of filings surged with dozens of cases initiated across multiple U.S. states. This pattern reached a crescendo between July and November when approximately 7,500 new cases were incorporated into the MDL, demonstrating the gravity and scale of the issue.
Looking forward into 2024, the MDL has entered a slower phase of legal progression, focusing on discovery and preliminary legal skirmishes while awaiting the initiation of bellwether test trials slated for 2025. These initial cases will likely provide a litmus test for future proceedings and potential settlements.
The surging legal actions reflect a growing awareness and concern among women who have used these products, sometimes for decades, unaware of the potential health risks. As the litigation unfolds, it is set to be a precedent-setting series of trials that will challenge corporate accountability and consumer safety in the cosmetics industry.
In the meantime, scores of women impacted by these products are reaching out to specialized attorneys to explore their legal options, highlighting a significant shift towards consumer justice and corporate responsibility in the beauty and health sectors. As this legal battle unfolds, it will likely ignite further scrutiny of chemical use in everyday products and the regulatory standards governing them.