It is well-known that nail salon products contain toxic chemicals, such as phthalates, toluene, formaldehyde, acetone,methylacrylates and other volatile organic compounds. The health effects of exposure to these chemicals on women day after day, particularly women of child bearing age, are not fully understood. Incredibly, despite the toxic nature of the chemicals, the potential for exposure in poorly ventilated workspaces, and the large population of women exposed, little epidemiological oroccupational health research has been conducted on nail salonworkers. Because nail salons are open to the public and cosmeticsare presumed to be harmless, it has been assumed that these workplaces are safe and healthy.The reality is that there has been very little research examining actual effects on workers to substantiate that assumption. The few preliminary studies that have been conducted indicate acause for concern both for customers, and to a greater extent for the health of female nail salon employees. Occupational health studies have shown significantly increased adverse health outcomes, such as decreased attention and processing skills, as well as occupational asthma in nail salon workers as compared to control subjects. Factors such as poorly labeled products, limited available safety information, small workplaces and inadequate ventilation all serve to exacerbate the effects of toxic exposure in nail salons. Unfortunately, current regulation and enforcement is wholly inadequate to protect nail salon workers from potential exposure. This report will outline several of the main health hazards associated with toxic exposure in nail salons and provide recommendations for improving conditions for all nail salon employees and customers.
By Alexandra Gorman and Philip O’Connor: Women’s Voices for the Earth, February 2007
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