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LACQUER HAIR SPRAYING
A full report by M. Bergman and others, "Thesaurosis due to
Inhalation of Hair Spray", New England Journal of Medicine, April
1962, suggested that hair sprays may have been responsible for a
condition known as thesaurosis (storage disease), better called "hair
spray lung disease" (A. I. G. McLaughlin and P. L. Bidstrup, "The
Effects of Hair Lacquer Spray on the Lungs", Food and Cosmetics
Toxicology, Vol. 1, 1963).
These simulated, in one instance, classical pulmonary sarcoidosis
but, more generally, in the others, hilar gland enlargement and diffuse
X-ray shadowing in the lung fields. Press and radio publicity was
given on the subject in the UK with added warnings on the dangers,
especially to hairdressers.
PUBLICITY
It was thought the condition might be due to types of hair
sprays being used containing the plastic polyvinyl pyrrolidone, or
those containing shellac. Either this publicity was alarmist or a
serious hazard was in our midst about which we virtually knew
nothing.
A survey to investigate this problem was carried out. First, a
nominal roll of all hairdressers and their assistants was made by the
public health inspectors, together with the age, sex, period of working
at hairdressing, the type of spray being used, and the name of each
person's medical practitioner. We felt there would be a potential
occupational hazard if one or more persons at risk in Bermondsey
showed the signs of this new disease. Accordingly, all hairdressers
and their assistants agreed to come to our public health centre for
chest X-ray. Approval for this procedure was obtained from their
medical practitioners.
The survey covered 24 female hairdressing establishments, and
included 14 male and 59 female hairdressers. All had been working
with hair sprays for at least six months, the majority for several
years. Nine different brands of hair spray were being used which,
on analysis, were found to contain, with one exception, percentages
of shellac varying between 5 and 7 per cent. The one exception
contained no polyvinyl pyrrolidone but a nitrogenous film forming
resin. The results of the X-rays are summarized in the accompanying
table.