The SCCNFP has evaluated
the scientific paper on 'Use of
permanent hair dyes and bladder
cancer risk' by M.
Gago-Dominguez et al (Int. J.
Cancer : 91, 575-579 (2001)).
The following
conclusions were made :
- The study is well
conducted and important
confounding factors (e.g.
smoking) were properly
addressed.
- The study shows an
increased risk of bladder
cancer among women who made
regular use of permanent hair
dyes over many years.
- The risk is positively
correlated to the number of
years of usage and frequency of
application.
- The study confirms the
results of earlier occupational
health studies in hairdressers
and barbers.
- The study is not in
contradiction to earlier
studies, which did not show a
clear correlation.
- The chemical identity
of the permanent hair dyes used
by the study population is
unknown.
The SCCNFP concludes
that the potential risk for the
development of bladder cancer
in past users of permanent hair
dyes is of concern.
The SCCNFP requests a
full quantitative list of all
dyes currently used in
permanent hair dye formulations
in the EU.
The list should provide
all (published and unpublished)
data on mutagenicity and
carcinogenicity.
The SCCNFP recommends
that :
- the European
Commission provides resources
for the urgent review of the
information.
- further
epidemiological studies are
performed to evaluate the
possible association between
bladder cancer and the use of
permanent hair dyes in the EU.
- the European
Commission takes further steps
to control the use of hair dye
chemicals since the potential
risks of using this category of
substances give cause for
concern.