Lords Hear of Risk of Injury due to PPD in Hair Dye

The House of Lords was addressed last week by Baroness Taylor of Bolton who brought to the Lord´s attention an increasing risk of injury due to PPD in hair dye.

An hour-long “debate” was scheduled in order that the Baroness could raise awareness of the dangers associated with the chemical para-Phenylensiamine (PPD) and ask the Government what steps were being taken to advise consumers in the UK of the risk of injury due to PPD in hair dye.

Baroness Taylor quoted a report that had been published in the British Medical Journal which claimed that 8 per cent of allergic skin reactions treated in hospital were attributable to PPD and that this percentage was increasing on an annual basis.

Lady Taylor – supported by Baroness Randerson, Viscount Montgomery of Alamein and Lord Collins of Highbury -  called on the Government to improve the labelling on hair products containing para-Phenylensiamine to advise people of the risk of injury due to PPD in hair dye.

In response, Baroness Wilcox – Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State representing the Government – stated that the labelling of para-Phenylensiamine in hair dye was regulated by the European cosmetic products directive and was implemented into UK law as the Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 2008.

However, Baroness Wilcox advised the House that the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety was currently investigating the risk of injury due to PPD in hair dye and a report on their findings was due to be released in June. She said that the Government would participate in any co-ordinated campaign that emerges to protect the British consumer.

PPD in hair dye was blamed for the death of 17 year old Tabatha McCourt last October and for the condition of Julia McCabe, who remains in a coma after collapsing last year due to an alleged severe allergic reaction to para-Phenylensiamine.