Letters | Secondhand hairspray
NOW THAT the scourge of smoking has been addressed, we must turn our attention to the deadly vapors of women's cosmetics. Almost all perfumes and hair sprays contain fixatives made from chemicals known as phthalates, which are known carcinogens proven to induce extreme allergic reactions, and, in some studies, have been linked to birth defects.
NOW THAT the scourge of smoking has been addressed, we must turn our attention to the deadly vapors of women's cosmetics. Almost all perfumes and hair sprays contain fixatives made from chemicals known as phthalates, which are known carcinogens proven to induce extreme allergic reactions, and, in some studies, have been linked to birth defects.
As any good anti-smoking crusader will tell you, anything you can smell you're ingesting. Why must I be forced to take in your unhealthy fumes? On a bus in the morning or in an elevator, there is a haze of these toxic chemicals so thick I can hardly breathe.
When I hang around my local women's hair salon for a couple of hours, the smell is so bad I have to have my clothes dry-cleaned. I can only imagine the damage these chemicals are doing to my health. You have no right to foul my air with your noxious fumes.
We need to pressure our government to introduce legislation banning the indoor public use of all perfumes and hairsprays. Beauty salons must become hair care product-free for the safety of the hairdressers. Store perfume counters should be moved outdoors, 20 feet from any entrance. Selling hair gel to a minor will be a felony.
This health hazard needs the same governmental sledgehammer that smoking has received. If not for us, then for the sake of our children.
Joe Bauchens, Philadelphia