I received this in an email and thought it worthy of sharing - food for thought
Dangerous To Dye For
by Ros Burton
Two out of every five Australian women and an increasing number of men are dyeing their hair. Permanent hair dyes, which penetrate the cuticle, offer the best coverage of the hair. They do not wash out and regrowth occurs after four to six weeks. Semi-permanent colours only coat the cuticle and fade after about twelve to sixteen washes.
A great deal of research has been done on hair dyes and there are differing opinions as to whether or not they are harmful. Recent reports have come up with some findings that will make people take another look at what they are putting on their hair, and at whether alternatives are available.
Permanent hair dyes are linked to large increases in bladder cancer risk
People who regularly colour their hair with permanent hair dyes as well as hair stylists who work with such chemicals are at greater risk of bladder cancer, according to a report from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.
A report published in the February 2001 issue of the International Journal of Cancer stated that people who use permanent hair dyes at least once a month for one year or longer have twice the risk of bladder cancer as non-users. Those who have used a permanent hair dye once a month for fifteen years or more experience three times that risk...
