Lead-Based Hair Coloring Products: Too Hazardous for Household Use Some hair coloring products sold in pharmacies contain more lead than paint, making them a public health hazard. by Howard W. Mielke, PhD, Myiesha D. Taylor, Chris R. Gonzales, M. Kelley Smith, Pamela V. Daniels, and Ayanna V. Buckner Abstract Research objective. To measure the amount of lead in lead-based hair coloring cosmetics, and to review the bioavailability of the chemical form of lead in these cos- metics. To evaluate the hand-to-mouth route of exposure when using lead-based hair coloring cosmetics according to manufacturers' instructions. Methods. Lead was extracted from lead-based and organic-based hair coloring cosmetics using Trace Metal Grade HN0 3 and microwave digestion. Hand and surface wipes were collected with pretreated towelettes. All cos- metic products and wipe samples were analyzed for lead with an Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Ef"Dission Spectrometer (lCP-AES). Results. Hair dyes formulated with lead acetate con- tained between 2,300 and 6,000 mcg of lead per gram. When used as directed, the products coated hands with between 150 and 700 mcg of lead per hand. Lead residue on surfaces that came into contact with these products often exceeded 1 00 mcg of lead per square foot. These are hazardous quantities of lead. Conclusion. Hair dyes containing lead acetate are sold in pharmacies nationwide. Lead-based hair coloring cos- metics demonstrate a high potential for hand-to-mouth and hand-to-surface transfer of lead. To prevent lead exposure in children, all products that contain lead should be evaluated. In the best interests of consumers, hair col- oring agents containing lead acetate should be removed from the shelves of stores. Vol. NS37, No.1 January/February 1997 II Introduction Lead affects virtually every system in the body, but it is par- ticularly hannful to the developing brain and nervous system of fetuses and young children. 1,2 The main effects in exposed individuals include learning deficits and disruptive behavior. Diagnosis is made by obtaining a blood sample and measur- ing blood lead. However, lead exposure is not easy to recog- nize, because most poisoned children and adults have no clinical symptoms; as a result, the vast majority of cases are undiagnosed and untreated. 1 The potential for lead absorp- tion by children is five- to tenfold higher than for adults. 2 An additional critical fact is that the provisional Total Tolerable Daily Intake 3 (fID1) for children (6 years and younger) is 6 mcg of lead. Given that adults absorb and retain about one- fifth to one-tenth as much lead as do children, 4 the corre- sponding TIDI for adults is about 30 to 60 mcg of lead. For these reasons, the focus of the public health campaign to reduce lead exposure has shifted to prevention; that is, to eliminating the sources of exposure. 5 Some hair care products sold in pharmacies contain lead acetate. Given the well-known dangers of exposure to lead, one would expect to fmd information about the health risks posed by hair products containing lead acetate. Indeed, dur- ing the 1970s researchers raised questions about the safety of these products. 6 ,7 The focus of the research was skin absorp- tion of lead acetate, and evidence of absorption and redistri- bution of lead was found. However, 20 years later a review of lead acetate by Cohen and Roe found that hair coloring journal of the American Pbarmaceutica1 Association