China Making Hair Bands Out Of Used Condoms

Used condoms are being recycled into hair bands in southern China, threatening to spread the same sexually-transmittable diseases they were meant to prevent.

The local 'China Daily' newspaper reports that such rubber hair bands have been found in local markets and beauty salons in at least two cities in the Guangdong province.

"These cheap and colourful rubber bands and hair ties sell well... threatening the health of local people," it says. "People could be infected with Aids, warts or other diseases if they hold the rubber bands or strings in their mouths while waving their hair into plaits or buns," the paper quoted a local dermatologist.

Despite being recycled, the hair bands could still contain bacteria and viruses.

Apparently a bag of ten of the recycled bands sells for just three cents, much cheaper than others on the market, accounting for their popularity.

A government official interviewed for the story said recycling condoms was illegal and they would investigate it.

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