424 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS 6. Scientific Committee This met several times under the chairmanship of the Vice-President, Mr. R. Clark, in order to discuss broad lines of investigation. 6.1. The Toxicology Subcommittee (Chairman: Mr. N.J. Van Abb•) has taken an interest in the following matters :-- 6.1.1. Cosmetic Hazards and The Times. Following the publication of a rather alarmist article in The Times, detailed correspondence was entered into which dealt with issues such as the inhalation toxicity of hair sprays and the supposed need for legislative control of toiletries. It is not possible yet to foresee whether that paper will in the future consult with the Society in advance of going to print. 6.1.2. Hair sprays The inhalation toxicity of hair sprays is still the subject of various investigations and, whilst "thesaurosis" now seems to be almost universally discounted, the notion of possible hypersensitivity is still around, and this is under discussion. 6.1.8. Use of methanol in industrial spirits The sub-committee has reached the view that there is no evidence of any marked toxic hazard in this case, though accidental acute poisoning could possibly arise. It was felt that members should bear in mind the desirability of eventually persuading the excise authorities to employ a less toxic tracer material. 6.1.4. Warning labels on aerosol packs A query was raised on the desirability of standardizing label warn- ings on the hazards and misuse of aerosols. This was considered to be in the province of organizations more closely concerned with aerosol packaging. 6.1.5. Collaborative patch testing The sub-committee is currently studying detailed proposals for a collaborative patch-testing technique, with a view to initiating work in several laboratories to aid in standardizing tests of primary irritation. 6.1.6. Cream shampoos The sub-committee had followed up the paper by I. Gaunt and K. H. Harper [J. 15 209 (1964)], by proposing to publish a recom- mendation that cream shampoos should normally be tested at 10%

ANNUAL REPORT 1964-65 425 concentration in rabbit eye studies. Publication has been deferred pending the results of new studies on a range of leading U.K. cream shampoos. 6.1.7. Toxicity of aerosol propellants The sub-committee initiated consideration of the desirability of evolving a new toxicity rating system for aerosol propellants. This is being progressed initially by means of a review of data on pro- pellant 11. 6.2. The Methods of Analysis Sub-Committee (Chairman: Mr. S. J. Bush) is investigating tests for the analysis of hexachlorophene contained in toilet preparations. ?. l•elationshil• uJith other Bodies 7.1. As indicated in the last Annual Report, the Society applied for, and was granted, membership of the Parliamentary and Scientific Com- mittee, an informal body of members of both Houses of Parliament and representatives of scientific bodies. Mr. A. Herzka has been appointed one of the Society's representatives for a minimum period of three years, and the second representative alternates between members of Council and of the Society. The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee plans to visit a cosmetic research laboratory situated in the vicinity of London, in the course of the next 18 months, and there is also a possibility that the General Committee might be addressed on cosmetic legislation. 7.2. A symposium sponsored jointly with The Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain was held during the year, as already referred to above, and it is hoped to arrange similar joint functions from time to time. A department of The Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain con- tinues to send a representative to the meetings of the Scientific Committee Analytical Sub-committee. 7.3. 7.4. Since 1953 the Society has been represented by Dr. H. W. Hibbott on a B.S.I. Committee concerned with Test Methods for Powder Properties Mr. A. Herzka has represented the Society since January 1965 on the B.S.I. Technical Committee P/189- Aerosol Dispensers. Two meetings have taken place with representatives of the Toilet Preparations Federation to maintain harmonious relations. Each body now sends one representative to the meetings of each other's