European Commission continues to ignore the risk of PPD as more victims come forward

March 22, 2012 - PRLog -- Campaigners and victims of a potentially lethal chemical ingredient in many hair dye products say they are being ignored by the European Commission who won't take their concerns seriously.

As the Commission ignores the pleas to look at the potential risks of p-Phenylendiamine, better known as PPD, more victims are being affected.

A reply to an FOI request last year said the Scientific Committee was asked to look at the risks of PPD again last November but there is still no reply. Arlene McCarthy MEP has also written to the Commission but has received no reply and Manchester MP Tony Lloyd asked a question in parliament about what was going to be done and the response came back saying that there had only been one victim.

"How many more people have to suffer before the Commission does something?" says Greg Almond, the Manchester solicitor, from http://www.almondpersonalinjurysolicitors.co.uk, leading the campaign to get the commission to ban PPD. A letter to Greg, in response to an FOI request, stated that PPD was the EU’s problem and the research to date says it is safe.

"They have completely ignored the fact that there seems to be an increase and that a severe reaction can cause life threatening illness".

Over 40 victims have already come forward in the last six months.

The desire to disguise grey in his hair has turned into a nightmare for Rene Kunisch after he became the latest victim to suffer a allergic reaction to PPD. A test last week confirmed the reaction came from the chemical.

Rene, in his 40s and from Richmond, Surrey, was going on a date and wanted to look his best and so applied the hair dye and completed the 48 hour patch test. At first Rene was fine, but then seven days later he started to suffer a bad reaction and is now in constant pain.

“I’ve got a rash all over my body and weeping sores on my head which are itchy, uncomfortable and burning,” he said. “I’m not getting a good night’s sleep and I suppose I dose off for about an hour – if I’m lucky.”

Rene is taking oral steroids and sleeping pills and although the reaction first kicked-in two months ago, the problems have not eased.

“I was really scared when the reaction first started,” he said. "then I read that someone had died from dying their hair and someone else was in a coma…I can't believe these products are so readily available."

Rene has now instructed Greg Almond and has joined the campaign to highlight the dangers of PPD.

PPD has been blamed for thousands of serious injuries and even a death in the UK – but yet chemists and supermarkets across the country are selling around 50 million boxes of hair colour every year.

Mr Almond said: “It’s about time the EU started to take the risks of PPD seriously and at the very least agree to do more research on how safe it is.”

Tabatha McCourt, 17, reportedly fell seriously ill just after 20 minutes after colouring her hair with a home dye kit and was rushed to hospital where she later tragically died.

And Rene, who has been suffering with depression since his own reaction to the hair dye, said: “I would never have used the dye had I known the potential danger, especially now after hearing about other horrific stories about PPD.

“The manufacturers need to take responsibility of this chemical.”

And Rene said: “I’d urge others not to take the risk of dying your hair purely for vanity – it’s not worth the risk. We should just accept growing old gracefully – even if that means going grey.”

Mr Almond added: “The evidence and case studies show that reactions are on the increase and there is no updated research evidence to show that PPD is safe. It is disgraceful that we are being ignored. What will it take for those who can do something about this to take the matter seriously?”