Umy works to bring menstrual equity conversations into her community to help end period stigma!
Umyeena Bashir is WVE's California Intimate Care Organizing Fellow at WVE and a graduate student at the University of San Francisco studying Organic Chemistry. Umy is passionate about researching period health and educating others on these issues.
Is Your Hair Giving You Cancer?
Newsweek By Pandora Dewan “Billions of dollars are spent on hair care products and services every year in the U.S. alone. But, while glossy, blow-dried... Read More
Chemicals from household cleaners found in breast milk samples, what parents should know
While parents are exposed to quats (short for “quaternary ammonium compounds”) from numerous sources, the researchers found that the use of disinfecting products at home related to how much showed up in breast milk.
‘The vagina is self-cleaning’ – so why do companies push hygiene products on Black women?
The Guardian By Paige Curtis “Racist advertising practices marketed vaginal cleansing products to Black women. Years later, they deal with the fallout … ‘Vaginal cleansers... Read More
First US approval of indoor air disinfectant draws NGO criticism
Chemical Watch By Vanessa Zainzinger “NGOs have slammed the US EPA’s approval of an airborne disinfectant for indoor use as pointless “hygiene theater” with potential... Read More
Persistent and Pervasive Podcast: Toxic Chemicals in Hair Straighteners
In this episode, the podcast explores the chemical and cultural issues around Black hair care and interview scientists and activists who are working to ensure that safer products are available.
Campaign For Safe Cosmetics Publishes First-Ever List of Top Black-Owned Beauty Brands & Non-toxic Product Database
Released during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Non-Toxic Black Beauty Project focuses on specifically supporting Black women’s health because Black women face the highest breast cancer mortality rate of any racial or ethnic group in America. Beauty products marketed to Black women often contain the most toxic cosmetics ingredients, including chemicals linked to cancer. In fact, Black women who regularly dye their hair have a 60% increased risk of breast cancer, and those who use chemical hair straighteners are 30% more likely to develop the disease. By uplifting leading non-toxic Black-owned beauty brands and connecting Black women with products they can trust, CSC aims to combat toxic health disparities to help prevent breast cancer and other diseases.
What is in period products?
C&EN News by Cheryl Hogue A recent New York right-to-know law has led to ingredient disclosures across much of the US. But health advocates say... Read More
New Bill Will Help Close Significant Gaps in Menstrual & Intimate Care Product Safety
Because of lack of government oversight, companies can even get away with not disclosing dangerous chemicals contained in these products. In fact, there is no federal law that requires manufacturers of menstrual care products to disclose any of the ingredients used in these products.
TAKE ACTION for Safer Menstrual and Intimate Care Products!
Recently, the Robin Danielson Menstrual Product and Intimate Care Product Safety Act of 2022 (HR 8724) was introduced in Congress. If passed, the bill requires a research program focused on studying the health risks of fragrance ingredients, pesticides, phthalates, titanium dioxide, and other ingredients used in these products.