MILLIONS of Brits are unknowingly breathing in dangerous substances every morning before they leave the house, US scientists have warned.
They found toxic chemicals in hair products – that have the potential to damage the lungs, liver and nervous system – linger in the air after they've been used.
Using heat styling techniques like straightening and curling alongside the products forces even more chemicals into the atmosphere, they said.
Prof Nusrat Jung, of Purdue University, US, said: "We did not expect to see such significant emissions of volatile chemical mixtures from off-the-shelf hair care products during typical hair care routines that many people perform daily.”
Someone who used hair care can inhale up to 17 milligrams of potentially harmful chemicals each morning, the researchers found, which Prof Nusrat said was "extremely alarming."
The often greatest and most concerning chemical inhaled, the experts said, is decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5 siloxane).
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It is often listed first or second in the ingredient lists of many hair-smoothing products, suggesting it is among the most abundant ingredients.
“D5 siloxane has been found to lead to adverse effects on the respiratory tract, liver and nervous system of laboratory animals,” Prof Nusrat said.
The experts also found that when heat is applied to the chemicals, such as through curling irons and hair straighteners, the emissions from the hair care products increased by up to 310 per cent.
Previous research has found the hair products, including perms and hair relaxers, raise the risk of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and health risks while pregnant.
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The latest study, published in Environmental Science & Technology, examined what chemicals hair care products released into the air when used.
Some 46 adult volunteers between 18 and 65 were asked to replicate their hair care routine, using products, separately in a controlled house-like environment.
Once they were finished, participants were asked to leave, and the air was tested for chemicals.
The team found a person can inhale a cumulative mass of 1-17 milligrams of potentially harmful chemicals in a single hair care session in their home.
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