Cassidy Morrison Dailymail.Com Senior Health Reporter
November 28, 2023 20:29, Updated November 28, 2023 20:29
- The product alone causes chemical emissions, which are made worse when heat is used.
- The exhaust fan removed most of the chemicals, but then contaminated the outside air.
- Read more: The ultimate guide to dangerous chemicals lurking in beauty products
Hair products that millions of women in the US use every day may be exposing them to dangerous chemicals linked to infertility, a study warns.
Siloxane is a man-made chemical used in creams, oils, and sprays that prevent moisture from entering or leaving your hair, adding shine and smoothness to your hair.
Scientists at Purdue University in Indiana found that the high heat from curling and straightening tools causes hair products containing siloxane to evaporate, releasing toxins into the air.
Siloxanes, derived from silicones, have been linked to fertility problems, hormonal imbalances, and liver damage.
They conducted a series of experiments in which participants were asked to recreate hair care and styling routines in a small house intended to mimic the limited space of a home bathroom.
Using the product with and without heated tools increased the concentration of a volatile chemical called cyclic volatile methylsiloxane (cVMS) in the air.
When the exhaust fan was turned off, the concentration of volatile chemicals in the air reached 82 milligrams per cubic meter, but when the fan was turned on, about 70 percent of the contaminated air was removed.
After 20 minutes, people had inhaled a cumulative 17 mg of siloxane.
Animal studies on certain chemicals have shown that: much higher It becomes deadly when concentrations in the air reach tens of thousands.
Although the lethal dose for humans is less clear, researchers warn that repeated exposure to these chemicals as part of daily life can have health effects.
Siloxane is a synthetic analog of silicone that is widely used in personal care products to seal hair and skin, keeping moisture out and providing a smooth surface.
Each study participant was instructed to bring into the tiny home any products they might use at home, such as hair lotions, sprays, serums, and oils, as well as any hot tools they might use.
Although the products studied were primarily marketed to women, they were strictly unisex.
This chemical is also found in products aimed at men. For example, the cream pomade made by Redken contains a siloxane known as dimethicone.
Participants then divided their hair into four sections and tested different treatments in each.
Each time the product was applied to a section of hair, the concentration of volatile compounds in the air increased.
Applying high heat of approximately 210 degrees Celsius to hair coated with these products worsened the release levels of harmful chemicals, increasing the amount released by 50 to 310 percent.
“We find these results to be very alarming,” said lead author Dr. Nusrat Jung, a professor in Purdue University’s School of Civil Engineering.
“We did not expect that volatile chemical mixtures would be released in such large quantities from off-the-shelf hair care products during the typical hair care routine that many people perform every day.”
Siloxane easily evaporates in air to form a gas. Scientists call this property volatile.
Another example of a volatile organic compound that evaporates quickly is acetone, which causes nail polish remover to have a distinct, pungent odor as it dries.
This chemical is a key ingredient in many skin and hair products due to its ability to evaporate quickly without leaving a sticky residue and its lubricating ability to prevent friction between hairs.
The most troublesome chemical they identified was decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (also known as D5 siloxane), which is often listed first or second on the ingredient list in many hair care products and is one of the most abundant ingredients. This indicates that it may be one.
“D5 siloxane was found to have adverse effects on the respiratory tract, liver, and nervous system of laboratory animals,” Dr. Jung said.
For this reason, the use of chemicals in wash-off cosmetics is already restricted in the European Union. Many of these products are scented, and some of the chemicals used to make these scents can be dangerous if inhaled as well. ”
Another siloxane chemical called D4 is considered persistent and toxic to the environment. Known endocrine disruptors Studies in rats have shown that it acts similarly to estrogen.
The chemical was found to increase the weight of the rodents’ uteruses and change the height of the cells lining the tissues inside the body, which could have negative effects on reproductive organs and contribute to the development of endocrine diseases. There is. For example, conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
On average, a person can inhale a total mass of 1 to 17 milligrams of potentially harmful chemicals during one 20-minute hairstyling session.
Switching on the exhaust fan successfully reduces D5 levels in the air by about 70%, and keeping the fan on “accelerates attenuation” of the compounds in the air.
When you turn on the exhaust fan, within 20 minutes of completing your hair care routine, D5 concentrations are reduced by 95% to less than 1 milligram per cubic meter within 20 minutes.
The researchers warned that although they are useful for cleaning bathrooms, or in this case small homes, exhaust fans can funnel that contaminated air out into the outside world, contaminating more spaces than just your own home.
Dr. Jung said, “Home ventilation is likely the primary route for siloxane transport from indoors to outdoors.”
“In an urban environment, during the short time that people get ready for work or school in the morning, hundreds or even thousands of homes end up venting potentially harmful chemicals into the city’s atmosphere. This is especially important because of this.”
The chemicals then flow back into the building through the ventilation system, Dr. Jung added.
“So even if the use of products containing harmful chemicals is not part of your hair care routine, you will be subject to environmental influences in urban environments.”
Their findings were published in the magazine environmental science and technology.