The prevalence of AGA in Chinese men and women was lower than in Caucasians and similar to that in Koreans.

higher than that before waving (3.13‰, p<0.001). The rate decreased progressively after 24 h. Our results suggest that the reproductive function of hairdressers may be affected by long-term exposure to PWS, probably due to the presence of TGA, and more attention should be paid to its potential carcinogenic effects. Hairdressers are exposed to a variety of chemicals on a daily basis, which may be absorbed, inhaled or possibly even ingested 1) . Chemical waving is the most common means of hair styling and permanent-waving solution (PWS) is usually used for this purpose. The active ingredient of PWS is thioglycolic acid (TGA), which may potentially damage the health of both the hairdressers and their customers.Few data regarding the health effects of TGA are available in the literature. Early toxicological data on TGA were found in a Russian periodical in the 1960s. Rotenberg et al. reported parameters of its acute oral toxicity in rat and mouse, acute inhalation toxicity in mouse, acute dermal toxicity in rabbit, and chronic inhalation toxicity in rat 2) . Thereafter a few more toxicological studies on TGA have been published. According to the US EPA document, LC 50 for TGA as determined by an acute inhalation toxicity study on rat (4-h exposure) was 0.21 mg/l (standard error 0.040 mg/l) 3) . RW Tyl reported the results of studies which evaluated the developmental toxicity of sodium thioglycolate administered topically to CD rats and New Zealand white rabbits from days 6 to 19 or 29 of gestation 4,5) . As to the mutagenicity of TGA, the results were negative in the Ames test system on Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100, TA1535, TA97 and TA98, with and without metabolic activation 6) . Although epidemiological studies conducted by Kersemaekers and Blatter indicated that exposure to chemicals increased the risk of reproductive Received Jan 18, 2003; Accepted Sep 29, 2003

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Population:  Chinese.

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