EC bans 22 hair-dye substances amid bladder cancer fears

The European Commission has banned 22 substances from hair-dye products on sale in Europe.

The commission said today it was banning the chemicals from being used in hair-dyes after a scientific study found they could potentially increase the risk of bladder cancer.

The ban, which is due to come into force on December 1, is the first step in the EC's moves to establish a list of hair-dye substances that are safe for human health.