Date:18/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/18/stories/2008071859780400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Hair dyes used for committing suicide

M. Sai Gopal

Paraphenylene diamine, in dyes, is toxic to the kidneys
Survivors suffer chronic renal ailments and Oedema

HYDERABAD: A bizarre tendency to prefer hair dyes for committing suicide, that too mostly among women, in the districts of Telangana, has come to light during investigations by kidney specialists of Nizams Institute of Medical Science (NIMS).

With instances of such cases from Telangana districts becoming a common occurrence in the hospital, an average of 70 to 80 patients per year, NIMS researchers explored the socio-cultural conditions of patients and also the impact of hair dyes on the kidneys. The result of the research was published in the Journal of Postgraduate Medicine in 2007.

The broad findings of the study show a majority of poisoning cases being intentional, with the number of females being nearly 70 per cent, and all of them falling in the productive age group of 22 to 35 years. Researchers believe that word of mouth publicity about its effectiveness and its easy availability are the reasons for its widespread use.

“Hair dye manufacturing units are present in Telangana making it easily available. Spreading awareness is the key,” feels Assistant Professor in NIMS Nephrology department Dr. R. Ram, who played a key role in the research. Doctors informed that Paraphenylene diamine (PPD), a coal-tar derivative is widely used to prepare hair dye. “However, it is toxic to kidneys and 70 per cent of the patients consuming PPD suffer with acute renal failures (ARF),” the study says. “Survivors will struggle with chronic kidney ailments throughout their lives,” Dr. Ram said. PPD intake causes severe Oedema leading to blockage of the respiratory tract.