Federal regulators issued a revised and more stringent "hazard alert" Friday to salons that use the popular Brazilian Blowout hair-straightening solution.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said further investigations into the product revealed that salon workers using Brazilian Blowout were exposed to levels of formaldehyde higher than the agency's protective limits.

OSHA's hazard alert also cites two manufacturers and two distributors of hair-smoothing products for failing to list formaldehyde, which is believed to cause cancer at high exposure levels, on its list of ingredients.

David Michaels, OSHA's assistant secretary, also pointed to recent statements from the manufacturers that their product met OSHA requirements.

"Misleading or inadequate information on hazardous product labels is unacceptable," Michaels said in a statement. "Salon owners and workers have the right to know the risks associated with the chemicals with which they work and how to protect themselves."

The new alert is the latest in the ongoing controversy surrounding Brazilian Blowout, which is made by GIB LLC. OSHA first warned salons about the product, which has been used by several Hollywood stars, in April after Oregon's OSHA received complaints of nosebleeds, eye irritation and trouble breathing from a hair stylist.

Initial testing found levels of formaldehyde in the solution despite its being labeled "formaldehyde free" (Greenwire, April 13).

The Food and Drug Administration also sent the makers of the solution a letter in August -- a move that also contributed to OSHA's decision to issue a new alert. FDA said the sale of the solution was against the law because it contained levels of methylene glycol at levels ranging between 8.7 and 10.4 percent. It is believed that methylene glycol is released in the form of formaldehyde when the solution is heated with a blow-dryer or hot flat hair iron.

FDA also told the manufacturer of the solution that it would take action to limit the sale and distribution of Brazilian Blowout if the problems were not addressed.

"You should take prompt action to correct the violations cited in this letter," Michael Roosevelt, acting director of FDA's Office of Compliance, wrote. "Failure to do so may result in enforcement action without further notice, including, but not limited to, seizure and/or injunction" (Greenwire, Sept. 8).

FDA's letter was applauded by environmental and public health advocates who have called on the agency to crack down on the hair product.

Lawmakers have also voiced concerns. In May, House Democrats urged FDA to issue a voluntary recall of the product, which is the most stringent action the agency can take (E&E Daily, May 11).

California Attorney General Kamala Harris (D) also has taken court action against the product. In April, she filed a preliminary injunction against the hair solution, arguing that the manufacturer "continues to flout" the state's environmental statutes. Harris' testing found that the solution contains formaldehyde levels that exceed the state's limits "by a favor of more than eight" (E&ENews PM, April 8).

Click here to read OSHA's updated hazard alert.