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Health Canada warns about hair relaxers

OTTAWA, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Some hair relaxers being sold in Canada have concentrations of formaldehyde many times the level permitted in the country, Health Canada says.

Officials said Friday hair-dressing customers have complained of burning eyes, noses and throats and respiratory problems, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. There was one report of hair falling out.

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The symptoms have been linked to relaxers and smoothers used by salons. The products are generally not sold retail.

"Health Canada believes that the reactions are being caused by formaldehyde becoming aerosolized during the blow drying and flat ironing stages of the treatment," the agency said on its Web site. "Any procedure containing formaldehyde above the allowable limits places clients and stylists at increased risk."

Under Canadian regulations, hair relaxers should contain no more than 0.2 percent formaldehyde. Testing found some brands with up to 7 percent.

CBC reported several days ago that some products being sold in Canada had been banned in other countries.

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