Re: Death From breathing henna powder
Posted by Matthew on May 13, 2001 at 00:51:18:
In reply to: Death From an More Damage Control For Henna Artists,Unfortunately posted by Lynn on May 12, 2001 at 17:35:22:
Greeting,If you are mixing your own henna paste please read this copy of the
story from the Pasadena Post. It is important not to breath the dust
from henna. If you sift henna powder you must not be able to smell it
or it is entering your lungs. At LifeArt we don't sift our powder, we
strain it after it is mixed. I have caught pnemonia twice as a result
of henna powder, but I mix large batchs every day.. Please take this
warning as a blessing and protect your lungs with dust masks at
least..
Shanti,
Matthew
PS: I don't ever leave my email address on the post because of
spammers. If you want to email me you will have to get it from my
website. http://hunza.com link at the bottom of this page.
Copy from post:
By Emanuel Parker
Staff Writer
ARCADIA -- The death of a popular Sri Lankan singer in Arcadia in
March has been ruled a rare case of acute bronchial asthma likely
caused by an allergic reaction to henna hair dye.
The Los Angeles County Coroner made the ruling in the March 28 death
of Visharada Malani Bulathsinghala, 51, who was staying at the home
of Sri Lanka consul general Tissa Wijeratne in Arcadia. The 140-
pound, 4-foot-10-inch singer, who had just completed a U.S. concert
tour, was scheduled to return to Sri Lanka via New York the following
day. In Sri Lanka, newspaper accounts initially attributed her death
to a heart attack.
The coroner's report stated Bulathsinghala, who had a history of
asthma, dyed her hair an hour earlier and was getting ready to take a
shower when she called out to her hostess she was having an allergic
reaction.
She was given a drink of water and her inhaler and helped to a
bedroom, where she collapsed. She was rushed to Arcadia Methodist
Hospital where emergency room doctors attempted to revive her for 30
minutes. She was pronounced dead at 3:33 p.m.
"It is likely she developed an allergic reaction from the henna hair
dye, which exacerbated the asthma and combined with her occlusive
atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (hardened arteries) led to
her rapid death," wrote medical examiner Dr. Louis A. Pena, who
performed the autopsy on Bulathsinghala.
It's been known for years that henna can trigger allergic reactions
in people with asthma. A report on the subject was published in the
February 1982 issue of Annals of Allergy.
That report states: "Large amounts of henna are used in the beauty
industry each year. Those caring for individuals working in this
industry should be reminded that henna powder can be a source of
occupational asthma."
Henna is a water-soluble powder derived from the leaves and roots of
a Middle Eastern shrub. Its active ingredient is reported to be napho-
quinone. It's used as a hair dye and to treat acne and brittle
fingernails.
Bulathsinghala used two packages of a dye called Eagle's Export
Quality black henna powder made in New Delhi, India. Instructions
call for mixing it with water and applying it to the hair.
Bulathsinghala had a 25-year career as a singer known for blending
Sri Lankan folk songs with North Indian music.
She was also a music teacher and held the position of assistant
director of education in music on the island off the southeast tip of
India.
She released eight CDs in the last seven years, the last one, "Mona
Lisa," in August.
Coroner's spokesman Scott Carrier said some Sri Lanka newspapers are
calling for an investigation into the singer's death. That's
unlikely, he said, because the dye was not manufactured here.
-- Emanuel Parker can be reached at (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4475, or by
e-mail at emanuel.parker@sgvn.com.
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© 1999-2001 MediaNews Group, Inc. and Los Angeles Newspaper Group,
Inc.
Source : http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/
Follow Ups
- Oh PS
Matthew 01:04:29 5/13/2001
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