Use of hair dyes, hematopoietic neoplasms, and lymphomas: A literature review. II. Lymphomas and multiple myeloma

We review studies on hair dyes and lymphomas and mLtltiple myeloma (MM). A computerized literature search for the years 1966 through 1996 was conducte d Data were extracted using a standardized form that recorded study design, study population, type of cases, comparison group, sources of data on pers onal exposure to hair dq es, method of data collection, type of exposure da ta collected covariates, and results. This review identified 10 epidemiolog ic studies published in the English literature that examined personal use o f hair dyes and lymphomas or MM. These studies include three evaluations of Hodgkin's disease, five of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), two of lymphomas with type not specified and six of MM. For Hodgkin's disease, one case-cont rol study reported some positive associations with use of permanent hair dy es, whereas two cohort studies found no associations with ever rise of hair dyes. For NHL and MM, several evaluations suggest associations with use of permanent dyes, particularly with duration, frequency, age at first use, a nd dark colors. However; these associations are not consistent within and b etween studies. For lymphomas with type not specified one study was superse ded by a more recent report with NHL specific data and a second study was l imited by small numbers of exposed subjects. At this time, it is not possib le to determine if the inconsistent associations between permanent hair dye s and NHL and MM reflect sampling variability or differences in methods bet ween studies. Because an appreciable fraction of the population hers potent ial exposure to permanent hair dyes, elucidation of such issues may be warr anted with studies that include adequate numbers of exposed subjects and th at elicit information on personal use of hair dyes over time.