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(31)
Total X-Rayed
Age Groups
73
Under 20 20-30 30-40 40-50 50
34 25 8 5 1
X-ray results
Normal 64
Re X-rayed for comparison purposes and found to
be normal 2
Seen by chest physician and myself and declared to be
within normal limits 7
Total 73
Conditions in the hairdressing saloons which are regularly
inspected by my staff were favourable. In all there was adequate
ventilation which I think is the most important factor in the prevention
of any chest disease.
It can be seen that no person working in female hairdressing
establishments in Bermondsey where hair sprays of the shellac type
were in continuous use was suffering from any effect that could be
described in any way as relating to hair spray lung disease.
Perhaps the most useful aspect of carrying out the survey was
the personal contacting of the general practitioners by telephone in
seeking approval to X-ray their patients. All were keenly interested
in the survey itself and readily gave their approval.
Several practitioners mentioned that since hair spraying
became fashionable they had seen contact dermatitis in a limited
number of patients. It occurred at the adjoining areas of skin to
hair, namely the neck, the ears and the forehead.
In "Hazards of Beauty Culture", Part II, The Practitioner,
September 1962, G. Hodgson confirms this when he states "contact
dermatitis, usually from the lacquer, is seen on the ear, neck, and
eyelids but the arms may also be involved."
Thus, an element of sensitivity of the individual to hair sprays
is a fact and there is no reason why very rarely individuals may not
develop an atypical sensitivity in pulmonary tissues which may
eventually lead to storage.
It is a possbility, too, that where sprays are used very frequently,
solvents or the propellant may affect the mucosa as well
in some way, especially the cilia, e.g. "by anaesthetic effect", and
prevent their proper functioning, thus allowing conditions favour-