Disease Proof

Last week Reuters reported on the link between lymphoma and hair dye. This week the European Commission announced plans to ban 22 substances in hair dye proven to cause bladder cancer. The Associated Press reports:

"Substances for which there is no proof that they are safe will disappear from the market," said European Union Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen. "Our high safety standards do not only protect EU consumers, they also give legal certainty to (the) European cosmetics industry."

The Commission had asked the cosmetics industry to provide safety files for all chemicals used in hair dyes to prove they do not pose a health risk for consumers.

The ban goes into effect December 1st.

It's about time! It's been alleged for years that all those hair chemicals -- for perms, I think, too -- are dangerous.

I've never dyed my hair, but, if I were to, I would use henna, black tea, or other purportedly safe coloring.

Is there any connection between migraine headaches and hair dye?