Young Lawyer Steps Up Campaign To Ban Dangerous Chemical In Hair Dye Products

Oct. 21, 2011 - PRLog -- Following the tragic news today that a teenage girl has died after using a home hair dye product, Greg Almond, 29, owner of Almond Solicitors in Manchester ( http://www.almondpersonalinjurysolicitors.co.uk ), is stepping up his campaign to highlight the dangers of hair dye and in particular a chemical named PPD (para-phenylenediamine) which can prove extremely dangerous and has been banned by a number of European countries.

Greg has worked on a claim against a major hair dye retailer, which settled. The case involved a woman who had used a home hair dye kit. PPD, (para-phenylenediamine), a chemical component of many hair dyes, used in salons and bought off the shelf, can cause serious allergic reactions for many who use it. (The case study is willing to be contacted)

Greg is currently representing a woman who has suffered hair loss and permanent damage to her hair follicles following the use of another home hair dying product despite the fact that she followed the instructions and conducted a patch test. Greg warned: "it is a wide scale problem which is not confined to certain products. Greater public awareness regarding the dangers is needed".

Greg started an e-petition last week, in support of the Ban on PPD and to highlight the dangers of using hair dye.  The petition will then be delivered to the government. Greg is hoping the matter will be discussed in the House of Commons.

Commenting on the case, Greg said, "My client had suffered a severe allergic reaction to the chemical PPD (para-phenylenediamine) contained within the hair dye. Without emergency treatment the effects of this reaction could have been devastating".

"This chemical can be extremely dangerous and has been banned by a number of European countries".

Greg is urging the British government to follow suit and has written to Minister Edward Davey MP and MP's Tony Lloyd MP Manchester, Ann Coffey MP Stockport, Ivan Lewis MP Bury South and David Nuttall MP Bury North.

He has also submitted a FOI request asking for data on what investigations, testing and or research have been conducted into the chemical PPD and an open question to Ministers.

Greg said: "I want to make people aware of the potential dangers of using hair dye - and in particular this chemical component PPD. The chemical can be found in many products not just hair dye; we need to raise awareness regarding a risk that many consumers may be completely unaware of. The chemical had also be found in henna tattoos, printing inks, fur dyes and other cosmetics. I call on the government to conduct an urgent review in to the sale of products containing PPD (para-phenylenediamine)".

The chemical was named allergen of the year by the American Contact Dermatitis Society and Almond Solicitors' call for a ban comes days after the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Cosmetics and Non-Food Products revealed that in a review of hair dye products on sale in the EU, there was insufficient data to ensure they were safe.

Greg Almond said: "It might seem unusual for a law firm to be leading a campaign calling for a ban on a hair dye product, but after working on this case where the claimant was badly injured, and as a solicitor working in this field, I see the effects it can have on victims who turn to solicitors for legal assistance".

Asthma UK said: "Many of the chemicals used in hairdressing products can trigger asthma symptoms. Asthma UK supports the mandatory labelling of products known to emit levels of harmful chemicals that can become airborne, and would encourage more research into this chemical and its impacts on health".

Greg said: "Solicitors often see the consequences of other people's actions. While we have a role to play in ensuring justice is done for each individual client, where there is a wide-spread problem solicitors are in a position to do something about it and act as the voice for those who have been wronged. That is why I am calling for PPD to be banned".

Leading personal injury QC Gerard McDermott, who is based in Manchester and London, commented "Lawyers are often criticised for the work they undertake in personal injury claims. Greg's approach underlines the fact that for most solicitors the work they undertake is more than about earning a living - it is about pursuing a remedy for their client but sometimes more importantly also about seeking to address issues such as these in the wider public interest".