Some engineering students are rethinking how to approach a long-standing tradition of dying their bodies purple in the wake of a Health Canada warning.
Student representatives at QueenB次元官网网址檚 University and the University of Toronto say theyB次元官网网址檙e looking at alternatives to gentian violet after health products that contain the substance were linked to an increased risk of cancer.
The dye is popular among some campus engineering societies whoB次元官网网址檝e made it a tradition to colour studentsB次元官网网址� hair, pinkies, and even entire bodies at frosh events.
Laura Berneaga, president of the University of Toronto engineering society, says itB次元官网网址檚 considered a way to honour engineers of yore who used to wear purple armbands as identification.
But now that itB次元官网网址檚 come under Health Canada scrutiny, she says her schoolB次元官网网址檚 orientation committee is searching for possible alternatives.
B次元官网网址淲e want to make sure that safety is the number one priority for us,B次元官网网址� says Berneaga, adding that theyB次元官网网址檇 like to continue the rite of passage, if possible.
B次元官网网址淲hatever option we end up going with, we want to make sure the students feel safe participating in this tradition.B次元官网网址�
Health Canada issued the warning last month following a review of health products and veterinary drugs containing gentian violet.
B次元官网网址淎fter completing two safety assessments, the department concluded that, as with other known cancer causing substances, there is no safe level of exposure, and therefore any exposure to these drug products is a potential cause for concern,B次元官网网址� the agency says in a statement.
Over at QueenB次元官网网址檚 University in Kingston, Ont., the engineering society president says they are taking a cautious approach.
B次元官网网址淕iven the clear health warning issued by the government, the engineering society cannot endorse the use of gentian violet. The society is currently researching alternatives,B次元官网网址� says Delaney Benoit, reading a statement also posted to Facebook.
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So-called B次元官网网址減urplingB次元官网网址� has been common practice for years at several Ontario schools including Western University in London, the University of Waterloo, the University of Ottawa, and Ryerson University in downtown Toronto.
Gentian violet, also known as crystal violet, is an antiseptic dye used to treat fungal infections.
Health Canada says products containing the dye have been used on the skin, on mucous membranes inside the nose, mouth or vagina, on open wounds, or on the nipple of a nursing mother to treat oral thrush in infants.
There was only one non-prescription drug product containing gentian violet marketed in Canada that is known to used by nursing mothers, Health Canada states.
B次元官网网址淭he manufacturer has voluntarily stopped marketing this product in Canada and its product licence has been cancelled.B次元官网网址�
More information at:
Cassandra Szklarski, The Canadian Press
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