Projects
EFC9 continues its mission to work for sustainable business through a series of projects that promote green business throughout Region IX. Projects that are on-going with new initiatives include State of Green Business in Las Vegas, Tribal Recycling, Sustainable Enterprise in California and Nevada, and Biodiesel Roundtable in Los Angeles, and are described along with others in greater detail in this section:
Hair Care Guide
EFC9 developed a guide for healthier hair care practices, identifying styles, techniques, and questions the consumer should ask. 
To downloal click on image. EFC9 is exploring opportunities and potential partnerships and other venues to showcase safe and natural approaches to African American hair care.
EFC9 hosted an African American Hair Salon Roundtable in 2007. The purpose of the Roundtable was to discuss concerns raised within the health and environmental communities about ingredients found in ethic hair care products. The Roundtable also looked at the science behind the potential impacts and reviewed current policy. The event provided an opportunity for salon owners, workers, health and environmental advocates, policy makers and regulators, and product manufacturers to share and exchange information addressing these concerns and to work collaboratively.
The roundtable resulted in EFC9 preparing the report African American Healthy HairCare, which includes a science summary and ingredient analysis of African American hair care products. A listserv was set up to share information, invite additional participants to join the network, and continue to maintain and moderate the listserv. The information on ingredients for salon formulations was difficult to obtain and scientific research data on the health impacts of relevant ingredients, while limited for cosmetic ingredients in general, are virtually nonexistent for African American hair products. With assistance from the Bayview Hunters Point Health & Environmental Assessment Taskforce and EPA Region 9, EFC9 convened a follow-up meeting to the roundtable in 2008.
The follow-up meeting recommends publicizing the hazard of current products and promoting less hazardous hair treatments and procedures to the African-American population. Attendees agreed this outreach would be done in partnership with the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, the California Department of Health Services, Black Owned Beauty Supply Association (BOBSA) and knowledgeable salon owners to maximize the effectiveness of the message.
EFC9 presents our:
Mapping the Nail Care Industry Report.
Nail care is the fastest growing sector in the beauty industry, generating more than $6 billion
annually in sales nationwide. Nail products are one segment in the U.S. personal care product industry; the approximately 750 personal care products companies generated approximately $40 billion in annual revenue. Scientific studies have shown a correlation between health problems in nail salon workers and daily exposure to chemicals in nail care products. The purpose of this report is to present information on key stakeholders in the nail products industry, their processes and products, in order to identify barriers and opportunities to developing greener and healthier products.
Please send us your comments on how you will use the report: Mapping the Nail Care Industry on our Facebook Page.