Journal of Environmental Biology

Assessment of natural radionuclides and chemical constituents

in commonly used hair dyes in Saudi Arabia

W. R. Alharbi

Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah-21432, Saudi Arabia

*Corresponding Author E-mail: walharbi@kau.edu.sa

Key words

Activity concentrations,

Chemical composition,

HPGe spectrometer,

Radiological hazard

Publication Data

Paper received : 12.07.2016

Revised received : 31.10.2016

Re-revised received : 30.01.2017

Accepted : 01.03.2017

Abstract

Aim: Use of hair dyes has dramatically increased throughout the world, so there is an urgent need to  human awareness of the radiological hazard potentially arising by using hair dyes periodically to reducing of use them. The main objective of the study was to estimate the radiological risk due to natural radionuclides and chemical constituents from the most common of hair dyes received by the consumer in Saudi Arabia.

Methodology: A total of fifty- one sample of seventeen hair dyes with common usage in Saudi Arabia imported from different countries. Radionuclides (⁴⁰K, ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra and ²³⁸U) in blonde, brown and black hair dyes were determined HPGe spectrometer. Twenty-four elements and their oxide concentrations were determined using ARL QUANT'X Energy-Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence spectrometer. 

Results: The mean concentrations of ⁴⁰K in blonde dyes was above the permissible limit. Others naturally occurring radionuclides were found to have mean activity concentrations below the permissible limit. Uranium-238 was present in measurable values in most samples. The calculated radiological hazard, Absorbed dose rate, Annual effected dose rate and Radium equivalent for all samples were below the recommended value, except in one blonde dye sample.  Most elements exceeded the reference level.      

Interpretation: This is the first study for determining the radiological risks associated with usage the hair dyes (black, brown and blonde).From these measurements, it can be concluded that it should avoid the use of hair dyes periodically. Further, the obtained results will be of interest to those involved in health research through to compiling evidence on the subject for purposes of comparisons.

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