An unidentified Eastern European woman ended up in the hospital after mistaking builder's foam for hair mousse.
The picture of a woman sitting in a hospital chair with a helmet-like mound of builder's foam on her head circulated social media, reported the Daily Mail. People posted her photo on social media with hashtags like #badhairday and #DIY, reported The New York Daily News.
Builder's foam, or polyurethane, is commonly used in home construction. It has many uses, most commonly to fill gaps between pipes and walls. Polyurethane foam "can be used to insulate any part of your home, from the roof down to the foundation," according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Home builders use the foam to fill gaps, prevent leaks or hold items in place.
The government agency recommends washing polyurethane out of your hair before it dries and expands. Mineral oils can remove the foam from hair as well. The website does not explain what to do in case large amounts of the foam are mistakenly used as hair product.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the long term effects of exposure to the chemicals in polyurethane are unknown. Foam-Tech, a company that mixes and installs the builder foam into buildings, stated that polyurethanes are "non-toxic and only require protection for our operators during installations, but the finished product is completely safe and has no formaldehydes."
No other information concerning the mystery woman was provided.
