HAIR COLORING RAISE CANCER RISK

 A new report in the American Journal of Public Health links hair dyes to several forms of blood cancers. Researchers found that women with Hodgkin's Disease , Non-Hodgkins lymphoma or multiple myeloma were more likely to have used hair coloring products, compared to ahealthy women. Men using hair colorings also had a higher risk of Hodgkin's disease and multiple myeloma. Risks were higher for permanent hair colors, darker colors and longer period of use, although use of non-permanent colors and blonde shades were also associated with risk.

Carcinogenic chemical are commonly found in hair coloring products. Permanent colors aslo contain oxidizing agents that bind the dye to the hair shaft. Products that gradually change the hair color contain lead acetate. Lead in hair colorings enters the head through the pores . Herbert Needleman, M.D. world authority on lead poisoning and professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, claims that common suymptoms of low level lead poisoning are depression ., fatigue , headache and irritability-conditions most doctors may not attribute to lead.

Incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is increasing in the US and hair coloring products account for more risk than any other identified cause. Twenty to forty percent of women have used or are using hair coloring products.

American Journal of Public Health 1992, 82-990-7