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Hairspray linked to birth defects

By Carla Bevan on Monday 24 November 2008

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Marie Claire Health News: Mother and baby

Mothers who use too much hairspray could be putting their babies at risk of birth defects.

Research from the Imperial College London suggests that boys born with the genital defect hypospadias (when the urinary tract is out of position) are more likely to have been born to mothers exposed to hairspray in the workplace than those who weren't.

Before any hairdressers reading rush to fill out a letter of resignation, Professor Paul Elliott, who led the study, says his results are still not conclusive.

'Women shouldn't be alarmed. This study adds a bit more evidence to the general picture about these chemicals, but more research will be needed to demonstrate that the link exists.

'Pregnant women will need to make their own choices about whether or not to avoid these kind of exposures.'

The current study looked at 471 women whose babies were born with the defect and a similar number whose babies weren't.

Within the first group, around 50% more had been exposed to hairspray through their workplace.

Many hairsprays contain phthalates, which are already banned in children's toys, as they are known to disrupt hormone patterns.

Some phthalates are already banned in hair products and cosmetics, the latest research will call into question whether all versions should be.

'My advice has long been that women who are planning a pregnancy should avoid (or at least minimise) use of cosmetics, body creams/lotions etc, especially in the first three months of pregnancy,' Edinburgh University's Professor Richard Sharpe told the Environmental Health Perspectives.

'This is not because we know that the ingredients can do harm to the baby, but because it can only do good for the baby to avoid unnecessary chemical exposures.'