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Wynna Wong

More than 90 per cent of hair products sold in Hong Kong contain harmful substances, some of which may affect sexual functions and reproduction, the city’s consumer watchdog has warned.
Some of the tested items contained chemicals in quantities that exceed international standards, the Consumer Council said on Monday.
The watchdog tested 50 locally available hair products and found 48 contained at least one chemical deemed harmful, including parabens, fragrances and preservatives, although most did not exceed local or international standards.
But a breakdown of the results showed the OMG 3.5 Texturizing Wax and OMG 7.0 Volumizing Clay, both by local brand SHHH, the Ida Faddy Waxy Cream and Deuxer Medium Soft Wax 3 all contained the fragrance allergen butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA).


Hong Kong does not impose a legal limit on the allergen, which is banned in the European Union due to its toxicity affecting reproduction.
“According to animal tests … there was clear evidence that sexual functions, fertility and developmental systems of offspring could be affected,” council chief executive Gilly Wong Fung-han said.
She added BMHCA was also an endocrine disruptor, and reminded children, pregnant women or those planning to get pregnant to be “especially careful”.
The Post has reached out to Ida for comment, while the manufacturer of the SHHH product range said it would improve information on the items’ labels to better inform consumers.
The watchdog also found all finishing sprays it tested contained volatile organic compounds (VOC), a group of chemicals frequently contained in aerosol products that can vaporise, posing a risk to the environment and one’s health.
The 14 products tested by the watchdog had VOC levels ranging from 14 to 77 per cent, with the Tresemme Ultimate Shine Hairspray at 77 per cent exceeding Hong Kong legal limit of 55 per cent.
The Environmental Protection Department said it had launched an investigation immediately after receiving the report from the council, but had no further comment as the case was ongoing.
It also reminded importers that Hong Kong had regulations on VOC products, and offenders could face a fine of up to HK$200,000 (US$25,615) and six months in prison.
The Post has contacted Tresemme for comment.
Several other products contained fragrance allergens such as linalool and limonene at levels that would require warning labels if sold in the EU.
Hair waxes were found to contain the highest number of EU-prohibited fragrance allergens and preservatives, with seven shown to have prohibited or restricted preservatives and three a prohibited fragrance allergen.

Victor Lam Hoi-cheung, chairman of the watchdog’s publicity and community relations committee, urged consumers to check ingredients, usage instructions and labelling information before buying such products, especially if the user had a history of eczema or sensitive skin.
He recommended that users avoid applying the products directly to their scalps and to wash their hands afterwards to minimise the risk of allergic reactions.
Individuals with sensitive airways or asthma should only use aerosol or fragrance-containing products in well-ventilated rooms, he added.
Lam also warned against using “strong hold” styling products to avoid hair breakage or loss when wet combing or styling.


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Hong Kong

Health & Environment

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Test results reveal presence of chemicals such as butylphenyl methylpropional, which can affect fertility and development of offspring


Test results reveal presence of chemicals such as butylphenyl methylpropional, which can affect fertility and development of offspring.


Consumers