Get the Lead Out: FDA Asked to Ban Compound in Hair Dye

Banning a lead compound from certain hair dyes would be a small step toward protecting consumers and the environment from the toxin, the Food and Drug Administration was told in a petition currently under review.

The agency, which oversees the safety of chemicals in food and consumer products, accepted a petition from environmental groups Feb. 24 to ban lead acetate from dyes. FDA is set to publish a notice in the Federal Register by March 27 seeking public comment on the move, and must make a final decision on whether and how to restrict the chemical by Aug. 23.

“This ...