RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Exposure of hairdressers to ortho- and meta-toluidine in hair dyes JF Occupational and Environmental Medicine JO Occup Environ Med FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 57 OP 63 DO 10.1136/oemed-2013-101960 VO 72 IS 1 A1 Gabriella M Johansson A1 Bo A G Jönsson A1 Anna Axmon A1 Christian H Lindh A1 Marie-Louise Lind A1 Mats Gustavsson A1 Karin Broberg A1 Anders Boman A1 Birgitta Meding A1 Carola Lidén A1 Maria Albin YR 2015 UL http://oem.bmj.com/content/72/1/57.abstract AB Background Carcinogenic aromatic amines derived from hair dyes have recently received new attention. One of these is ortho (o)-toluidine, which is classified as carcinogenic to humans. Objectives To clarify exposure of hairdressers to potentially carcinogenic aromatic amines, including o-toluidine. Methods We measured eight potentially carcinogenic aromatic amines in the blood of 295 hairdressers, 32 users of hair dyes and 60 controls. The study was restricted to female non-smokers. Lifestyle data were collected for all participants using self-administered questionnaires. Blood samples were taken for analysis of ortho-, meta (m)- and para (p)-toluidine; 2-, 3- and 4-ethylaniline, 2,3- and 3,4-dimethylaniline as haemoglobin adducts. The samples were analysed with gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Results Generally, adduct concentrations were in the range of 0–200 pg/g haemoglobin. A comparison of the adduct concentrations found in hairdressers, consumers and controls showed no statistically significant differences. However, for hairdressers, o- and m-toluidine concentrations increased significantly with the weekly number of hair waving (p=0.020) and permanent hair dyeing treatments (p=0.026), respectively. o-Toluidine and m-Toluidine concentrations also tended (p=0.076 and 0.080, respectively) to increase with the frequency of light-colour permanent hair dye treatments. Conclusions Hairdressers who use light-colour permanent hair dyes, other permanent hair dyes and hair waving treatments seem to be exposed to o- and m-toluidine as indicated by associations with the number of treatments performed. Analyses of hair waving and hair dye products should be performed to identify the possible sources of exposure to o- and m-toluidine.