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Synthetic hair marketed to Black women contains carcinogens and lead, report finds

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Synthetic hair is a staple in protective hairstyles for Black women.

Nine of the 10 synthetic braiding hair products tested also contained lead, Consumer Reports found.

Benzene , methylene chloride and benzene are known to be a cancer-causing ingredient, the study found.

There are no federal limits on the amount of lead in synthetic braided hair.

EWG has developed a database, Skin Deep , where consumers can look up beauty products and see whether they’re classified as low, moderately or highly hazardous by the group. “Everyone deserves access to safe products,” Friedman said. “Manufacturers should prioritize safety for consumers.”.