- Colorings used in some hair dyes could cause cancer,
it has been claimed.
-
- A European Commission watchdog has criticised the hair
dye industry for failing to provide evidence of the safety of its products.
-
- The Scientific Committee on Cosmetic and Non-food Products
intended for Consumers says without adequate evidence it is unable to carry
out a full risk assessment.
-
- The Cancer Research Society has responded by advising
consumers not to use the products until further research has been completed.
-
- Most concerns surround dark-coloured, permanent dyes
used every four to six weeks.
-
- Scientists are particularly worried about two chemical
ingredients, para-phenylenediamine and tetrahydro-6-nitroquinoxaline.
-
- These chemicals have been shown to damage the body's
genetic material, and to cause cancer in animals.
-
- It is not the first time that fears have been raised
about the safety of permanent hair dyes, which have previously been linked
to arthritis and damage to unborn children.
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- Bladder Risk
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- Last year a study by the University of Southern California
found women who used permanent hair dyes at least once a month were up
to three times more likely to develop bladder cancer.
-
- The researchers also found that long-serving hairdressers
were also at increased risk.
-
- No such link has been found between cancer and semi-permanent
and temporary hair dyes.
-
- Commenting on the failure of the industry to provide
necessary information, Dr Ian White, head of the committee and a consultant
dermatologist at St Thomas' Hospital, London, was quoted as saying: "They
have not provided ample information that the dye is safe.
-
- "Isn't it amazing that a product should have such
wide gaps in its toxicological requirements but be on sale?"
-
- However, Dr White stressed that the products had been
on sale for decades, and only women who had used them over many years could
be at any kind of risk.
-
- A spokesperson for the Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery
Association said twice as many men as women contracted bladder cancer -
not what would be expected if hair dye posed a significant risk.
-
- "Hair colorants are among the most thoroughly studied
products on the market and studies to date have concluded that they are
safe when used as directed."
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- Bladder cancer is diagnosed in more than 13,600 people
in the UK each year. It kills 4,850.
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- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/1934496.stm
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