Publications : 2008

Kelsh MA, Alexander DD, Kalmes RM, Buffler PA. 2008. Personal use of hair dyes and risk of bladder cancer: A meta-analysis of epidemiologic data. Cancer Causes Control 19(6):549–558; doi: 10.1007/s10552-008-9123-z. PMID: 18286379.

Abstract

Objective: We compared, updated, and expanded the analyses of two previous meta-analyses of personal hair dye exposure and bladder cancer, and briefly discussed the biological plausibility of a systemic hazard to human health from exposure to para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a key chemical in hair dyes. Methods: The meta-analysis included 11 case–control studies and one cohort study. We evaluated heterogeneity across studies and conducted sensitivity and influence analyses. Results: No association was found between any personal use of hair dye and bladder cancer among women (meta-relative risk [mRR] = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.89–1.14), men (mRR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.60–1.14), or both sexes combined (mRR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.87–1.08). No statistically significant mRRs were found among the studies that reported data for permanent hair dye use (mRR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.89–1.27), duration of any hair dye use (mRR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.85–1.19), duration of permanent hair dye use (mRR = 1.31 95% CI 0.78–2.19), lifetime applications of any hair dye use (mRR = 1.12 (95% CI: 0.72–1.72) or permanent hair dye use (mRR = 1.59, 95% CI 0.69–3.64), or dark color hair dye use (mRR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.74–1.19). Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies do not indicate a causal association between personal hair dye use and bladder cancer.