Hairdressing hazards highlighted

HAVING a bad hair day could take on a deep-rooted seriousness amid a campaign to highlight the potential hazards of chemicals commonly used in hairdressing.

Occupational skin diseases alone, which often force employees to change jobs, including 10% of hairdressers, are calculated to cost the EU almost €600 million a year.

Occupational asthma is estimated to cost the EU €400-800 million per year. Because of this, Minister for Labour Affairs Frank Fahy has launched a campaign to cut through the fringe of unawareness towards a better style of safe work practices.