An alarming new study warns that people who use hair care products on a regular basis may be inhaling dangerous levels of chemicals that are potentially harmful to their health.
According to the new study, which was published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, several chemicals commonly emitted by hair care products linger in the air for much longer after use.
According to researchers from Purdue University in the United States, a person can inhale up to 17 mg of potentially harmful chemicals in a single hair care session at home.
“We found the results to be extremely alarming. We did not expect to see such significant emissions of volatile chemical mixtures from off-the-shelf hair care products during typical hair care routines,” study co-author Nusrat Jung said.
One of the chemicals decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, or D5 siloxane – commonly found in many personal care products – “has been found to lead to adverse effects on the respiratory tract, liver and nervous system of laboratory animals,” scientists warn.
“The use of the chemical in wash-off cosmetic products has already been restricted in the European Union because of this,” Dr Jung said
“Many of these products are scented, too, and some of the chemicals used to make these fragrances are potentially dangerous to inhale as well,” she added.
Previous animal research has shown that the D5 siloxane chemical is “very persistent” in the environment and can accumulate in the body, but “there is little information on its human impact,” according to scientists.
“So we really have no idea to what extent the threat these chemicals pose when inhaled over a long period of time,” Dr Jung said.
Little research on leave-on hair products; caution urged due to inhalation risks
While there have been tests into chemicals present in some types of “wash-off” products like shampoos, researchers say almost no studies exist for “leave-on” products like hair gels, oils, creams, waxes, and sprays.
While there have been studies on chemicals found in some “wash-off” products such as shampoos, researchers say there are almost no studies on “leave-on” products such as hair gels, oils, creams, waxes, and sprays.
According to scientists, applying high heat to these chemicals, such as with curling irons and hair straighteners, can cause additional chemical release into the air.
“In urban environments, this is especially significant as you will have hundreds – even thousands – of homes ventilating out potentially harmful chemicals into the urban atmosphere all in a short span of time as people get ready for work and school in the morning,” Dr. Jung said.
According to scientists, the “best solution” is to “simply avoid using these products.”
The next best thing, according to Dr. Jung, is to use the products with an exhaust fan running to reduce the amount of chemicals inhaled.
“Our model shows that turning on the bathroom exhaust fan can reduce D5 inhalation exposures by over 90 percent,” she said.
“The effects on people and the planet need to be studied further and regulatory action needs to be taken,” Dr Jung added.
