Henna dye may be linked to high rates of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in Emirati women, according to a new research conducted by a university in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Women in the UAE are almost two times as likely as men to have leukaemia, while they were also 63% more likely to be affected than expatriate women, reports The National.
The researchers arrived at their conclusions after looking at 263 cases of AML and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
The study also demonstrated that the rate of AML among UAE nationals was 78% higher than in expatriates.
According to Dr. Inaam Hassan, an associate professor at the UAE University, chemicals in henna dye and a lack of sunlight could be the reason behind the increased incidence, reports Xinhua.
She said: "I could not understand the results because men and women live in the same environment; they eat the same foods and breathe the same air.
Hassan added: "The only difference was the use of henna."
It may be noted that many modern henna dyes use synthetic chemicals lijke benzene to produce a deeper colour.
