| J Occup Health |
year |
2003 |
volume |
45 |
number |
6 |
page |
400 |
- |
404 |
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| Classification |
Original |
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| Title |
A Survey on Health Effects in a Human Population
Exposed to Permanent-Waving Solution Containing Thioglycolic
Acid |
|
| Author |
Hui-Fang GAN, Xian-Sheng MENG, Chun-Hua SONG
and Bai-Xiang LI |
|
| Organization |
Department of Environmental Toxicology, School
of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, The People's Republic
of China |
|
| Keywords |
Thioglycolic acid, Mutagenic activity, Micronucleus,
Hairdressing |
|
| Correspondence |
H.-F. Gan, Department of Environmental Toxicology,
School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, 199 East
Dazhi Avenue, Harbin 150001, The People's Republic of China |
|
| Abstract |
A Survey on Health Effects in a Human Population
Exposed to Permanent-Waving Solution Containing Thioglycolic
Acid: Hui-Fang GAN, et al. Department of Environmental Toxicology,
School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, China-Thioglycolic
acid (TGA) is the active ingredient of permanent-waving solution
(PWS). TGA has been shown to be a chemical of high toxicity,
which can be absorbed through intact skin and cause damage to
organs or systems in animals. This study evaluated
the effect of TGA-containing PWS on the health of a human population
in 3 substudies. Firstly, 57 female hairdressers exposed to TGA-containing
PWS (cases) and 64 female schoolteachers (controls) were studied.
Their menstruation state was evaluated with information obtained
from interviews. The results revealed that the menoxenia rate
in the cases was significantly higher than that in the controls
(22.81% vs 9.38%, p<0.05). Secondly, 8 female hairdressers
selected from those that participated in the above survey underwent
a fluctuation test for the mutagenic activity of urine. Eight
female medical students were chosen as controls. Difference in
the mutagenic activity of urine on TA100 between the two groups
was highly significant (110.30  45.95 vs 28.43 19.33, p<0.01).
Finally, a micronucleus assay was carried out on scalp hair follicle
cells in healthy volunteers. Scalp hair with the follicle cell
mass was sampled from 8 male and 8 female volunteers before permanent
waving and at 24, 48 and 72 h after waving. One thousand hair
follicle cells were examined by light microscopy. The number
of cells containing a micronucleus and the number of micronuclei
in each cell was determined. The permillages of micronuclei in
hair follicle cells before and after permanent waving were compared.
Micronuclei presence reached its peak value (12.44‰) 24 h after
permanent waving, which was significantly higher than that before
waving (3.13‰, p<0.001). The rate decreased progressively
after 24 h. Our results suggest that the reproductive function
of hairdressers may be affected by long-term exposure to PWS,
probably due to the presence of TGA, and more attention should
be paid to its potential carcinogenic effects. |