Association of hairdressing with cancer and reproductive diseases: A systematic review

Research output: Contribution to journalReviewResearchpeer-review

Documents

  • Fulltext

    Final published version, 564 KB, PDF document

  • Željka Babić
  • Marija Macan
  • Zrinka Franić
  • Sarah Hallmann
  • Martin S. Havmose
  • Johansen, Jeanne Duus
  • Swen M. John
  • Cara Symanzik
  • Wolfgang Uter
  • Patricia Weinert
  • Henk F. van der Molen
  • Sanja Kezic
  • Rajka Turk
  • Jelena Macan

OBJECTIVES: To review recent epidemiological studies investigating carcinogenic or reprotoxic effects among hairdressers who seem to be at greater risk for systemic adverse effects of chemicals released from hair care products than consumers. METHODS: A systematic review according to the PRISMA-P guidelines was performed and included studies published from 2000 to August 2021, in which cancer or adverse reproductive effects were diagnosed in 1995 and onward. Data were synthetized qualitatively due to the small number of studies, heterogeneity of study designs, outcomes, and methods. RESULTS: Four studies investigating cancer frequencies and six studies investigating effects on reproduction among hairdressers were identified. All were of good quality and with low risk of bias. Only one of the four studies found an increased risk of cancer reporting nine times higher odds for bladder cancer in hairdressers than the population-based controls. Three other studies investigating bladder and lung cancer, and non-Hodgins lymphoma did not find an increased risk in hairdressers. Regarding reprotoxic effects, numerous outcomes were investigated including menstrual disorders, congenital malformations, fetal loss, small-for-gestational age newborns, preterm delivery, and infertility. Increased risk was found for ventricular septal defect in newborns of fathers working as hairdressers. Furthermore, several indices of poor neonatal or maternal health were significantly associated with mothers working as hairdresser. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the scarce evidence that hairdressers are at increased risk of carcinogenic or reprotoxic effects related to their trade, such health risks cannot be ruled out. Therefore, preventive efforts to diminish occupational exposures to hairdressing chemicals should be targeted.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere12351
JournalJournal of Occupational Health
Volume64
Issue number1
Number of pages19
ISSN1341-9145
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Occupational Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of The Japan Society for Occupational Health.

    Research areas

  • cancer, hairdressers, occupational, reproductive, review

ID: 330385077