Safety: Monitoring for treatment of hair straight

Popular straight hair treatment is under control after laboratory tests by the agency of Oregon Occupational Health found high levels of formaldehyde in a solution made by the Brazilian Blowout smooth beauty.

The state agency said it had the solution tested when workers in the Portland area complained of nosebleeds, respiratory problems and eye irritation.

The company disputed the findings.

"Formaldehyde is an ingredient in our product," says Devin Semler, President of Brazil eruption, the product imported from Brazil.

In an interview, Mr. Semler said testing method was flawed and the state added that a private laboratory in Glendale, Calif., hired by the company to test the solution, only traces of formaldehyde.

A spokesman for the health agency in Oregon said it was maintaining its findings - which she said was based on four different test methods - and conducted tests of the air sampling in several salons that use of the product.