3 shampoo brands withdrawn from shops

Dubai: Three types of shampoos manufactured in India and Iran have been withdrawn from the market as long term use can cause adverse effects on human health.

Redha Salman, director of public health and safety department for Dubai Municipality said that tests revealed the evidence of 1,4 Dioxane. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the testing of this chemical compound on mice resulted in their developing liver and gall bladder failure. The EPA has classified the 1,4 Dioxane as a Group B2, a probable human carcinogen.

Salman said that beginning this year the Saudi Arabia, Food and Drug Administration banned some nine types of shampoos and the Dubai Municipality moved accordingly.

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"We found only five types in the market but only three batches showed evidence of 1,4 Dioxane. There is no consensus on the safe limit in the use of this chemical. Animals tested developed tumours and cancer. It is not tested on humans, therefore the recommended concentration limit should be maintained at 10ppm [parts per million]."

Salman refused to reveal the names of the banned shampoos as only some batches were faulty.

"People here are unlikely to be exposed to it as we have withdrawn everything from the market some three weeks back. Some shampoos have been returned to the company while some will be destroyed here. This is a precautionary step," he said.