Hair dying causes cancer, Unilorin don warns

A Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Professor Folahan Adekola, has warned that dying of hair increases risk of cancer.

Adekola, who spoke in an interview with news men on Wednesday in Ilorin, said that hair dye formulations contained chemicals known as Yombo-fitta and Yombo-tumtum, which he said, are freely sold in Nigerian markets for people to dye their grey hair and look younger.

According to him, these same dyes are also used to dye clothing materials, explaining that research had revealed the presence of highly toxic metals such as lead and arsenic and other carcinogenic compound in the dyes.

Adekola pointed out that given the widespread use of hair dye products; even a small increase in risk may have a considerable public health impact.

"The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reported that hairdressers and barbers are at increased risks of bladder cancer due to exposure to these chemicals,” he added.

The chemists suggested that it was important to therefore eliminate human exposure for sustainable development in the country. Especially human exposure to carcinogens and other toxic chemicals found in air, water and food and other consumer products,’’ said Adekola

#health #kwara