Heat-hairstyling pollution linked to lung damage and cognitive decline

A recent study has found that the combination of heated appliances like straighteners and curling irons with hair care products can release billions of nanoparticles into the air. Nanoparticles are small ultra-fine particles that can easily be inhaled, leading to health issues. This research — published in Environmental Science & Technology — is the first to measure these emissions in real time and in a realistic home setting.

The researchers report that just one hairstyling session lasting 10–20 minutes can result in the inhalation of more than 10 billion nanoparticles. They say this level of pollution is comparable to what you will get in the middle of a dense highway traffic. Given the size of these particles, they can easily penetrate deep into the lungs. This may lead to health issues like respiratory stress, lung inflammation, and cognitive decline.

This is really quite concerning, the number of nanoparticles inhaled from using typical, store-bought hair care products was far greater than we ever anticipated. — Nusrat Jung, the assistant professor who led the research.

In the tests, at temperatures as low as 70 °F (21 °C), the nanoparticle emissions were minimal. But with temperatures above 300 °F (149 °C), chemicals like D5 siloxane — a common ingredient found in hair creams, sprays, and, gels — vaporize and form nanoparticles as they cool.

To minimize this risk, the researcher advise avoiding the use of these products with heat-styling, and if that is not possible, use them with good ventilation.