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| NIOSH Home > Safety and Health Topics >Skin Exposures and Effects >Occupational & Environmental Exposures of Skin to Chemicals- 2005> Abstracts |
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Skin exposure to permanent hair dyes in hairdressers – sensitising levels
M-L Lind*1, A. Boman2, J. Sollenberg2, S. Johnsson2, G. Hagelthorn2, B. Meding1 Background
Epidemiological studies have shown an increased risk for hairdressers to develop occupational hand dermatitis. Known risk factors are exposure to skin irritants and sensitisers. Until now measurements of dermal exposure have been missing due to lack of methods. In this study we present assessment of occupational dermal exposure to permanent hair dyes in hairdressers using a newly developed and evaluated method. Methods
Skin exposure to permanent hair dye compounds was assessed in 33 hairdressers using a previously evaluated hand rinse method. The measurements were performed in hairdressing salons during working hours. Hand wash samples were collected from each hand before start of the hair dyeing process, after application of the hair dye and after cutting the newly dyed hair. 16 of the hairdressers did not use gloves during application of the hair dye, and during cutting of the hair no one used gloves. Samples from the different hair dye mixtures used were also analysed. All samples were analysed for aromatic amines and resorcinol using an HPLC-method. The detection limit of the method is 0.2 nmol/ml, which corresponds to 10 nmol/hand. Results and discussion
10 of 54 hair dye mixtures contained 1,4-phenylenediamine (PPD), 40 toluene-2,5-diaminesulphate (TDS), and 44 resorcinol (RES). The contents of hair dye compounds in 22 of the analysed mixtures were 0.004-0.250% PPD, 0.019-0.447% TDS, and 0.001-0.271% RES (w/w). In the hand rinse samples taken before the start of dyeing, PPD was found in samples from 3 hairdressers (range 197-311 nmol/hand), TDS in 7 (range 26-386 nmol/hand) and RES in 6 (range 24-433 nmol/hand). After application of the hair dye PPD was found in samples from 3 hairdressers (range 173-939 nmol/hand), TDS in 5 (range 13-197 nmol/hand) and RES in 11 (range 24-443 nmol/hand) in the group of hairdressers that used gloves during application of the hair dye (n=17). In the group that did not use gloves during the application of hair dye (n=16), PPD was found in samples from 1 hairdresser (range 22-36 nmol/hand), TDS in 7 hairdressers (range 15-741 nmol/hand) and RES in 11 (range 31-773 nmol/hand). In the samples taken after cutting the dyed hair, PPD was found in 5 hairdressers (range 33-360 nmol/hand), TDS in 14 (range 11-365 nmol/hand) and RES in 20 (range 19-736 nmol/hand). Analysis of samples of newly dyed hair cuttings revealed the presence of aromatic amines and/or resorcinol in 11/12 samples. In a previous study the human sensitisation threshold for PPD was found to be 93 nmol/cm2 (LOEL, Lowest Observed Effect Level) using the Human Repeat Insult Patch Test (1). The elicitation threshold has been found to be 28 nmol/cm2 (2). The skin exposure loadings to PPD found in our study are in the range 22-939 nmol/hand. Using the body surface areas given by OECD and US EPA, where a value of 410 cm2 is given for each hand, an area dose of 0.06-2.29 nmol/cm2 can be calculated, assuming that the exposure loading is uniformly distributed over the hand. We can assume that this is not the case during hair dyeing, which gives higher area doses in some parts of the hand. Hairdressers are exposed to hair dyes several times a day over a long period, which increases the risk of sensitisation/elicitation. Conclusion
Hairdressers are exposed to allergenic compounds during hair dyeing. Skin exposure occurs from dye application, from cutting newly dyed hair and from background contamination of surfaces and work tools. The exposure loadings are in the level, where there is a risk of sensitisation and /or elicitation of contact allergy. The glove use observed in this study was often improper, and was insufficient to prevent exposure. To reduce exposure, improved skin protection and work routines are important. References
1. Marzulli FN, Maibach HI. (1974) The use of graded concentrations in studying skin sensitizers: experimental contact sensitization in man. Food Cosmetic Toxicology; 12:219-27. 2. McFadden JP, Wakelin SH, Holloway DB, Basketter DA. (1998) The effect of patch duration on the elicitation of paraphenylenediamine contact allergy. Contact Dermatitis; 39:79-81.
Content last modified: 17 May 2005 |
