Each paper embargoed for release until date and time of presentation, unless noted otherwise

More than 250 research findings will be presented at the 34th Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, the worlds largest scientific society, May 30-June 1. Seven hundred scientists are expected to attend the meeting which will be held at Towson University near Baltimore. Highlights include:

• Effects on human hair from color products, hair dryers and sunbathing
• Safety of consumer products such as fireworks, food and drugs
• Child lead surveillance in Maryland

Laurence J. Boucher, Ph.D., department of chemistry, Towson University and Alan Samuels, Ph.D., Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, are serving as chairmen. For more information, visit www.towson.edu/chemistry/marm2001/Welcome.html.

Wednesday, May 30, 2001
9 a.m. 12 p.m.

• Heat styling hair: what really happens - Few people stop to consider the chemistry behind their everyday habits. Fifty-five percent of American women blow-dry their hair at least six times per week. Another 70% use a curling iron or hot rollers more than once per week. How does heat-styling work and what else happens to hair as it gets heated? Researchers will discuss various effects of heat styling on hair including water loss and resulting decrease in hair plasticity. (Presenter Kathleen Martin, Unilever HPC-USA, Rolling Meadows, IL)

• Artificial color on human hair - Hair coloring products not only affect natural hair color and fibers. They also cause damage to hair protein and produce a variety of shades when treated with the same color product. Additionally, life style, environment and application of cosmetic treatments such as styling mousse can alter color appearance. Researchers will discuss how sunlight, humidity, and hair color products damage hair protein and which factor is most detrimental to color appea
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