| Do you ever walk by a nail salon (or hair salon) | | | | reproductive toxin. |
| and wonder about the chemical health hazards to | | | | - Formaldehyde - used in nail polish, it is a |
| those that work there or patronize the salons? | | | | preservative that has many uses, one of which is |
| In today's society, nail salons can be seen at just | | | | embaling. Formaldehyde is an irritant to the eyes, |
| about every strip mall in North America. | | | | nose and throat, and exposure can lead to |
| Unfortunately, so many of these small salons | | | | coughing, wheezing and asthma symptoms. |
| offer cheap prices and hire refugees that are | | | | Repeated skin exposure can lead to skin irritation |
| willing to work for low wages. The detrimental | | | | and an allergic rash called dermatitis. It is also a |
| health affects are countless for both the | | | | known human carcinogen. |
| employee and the customer (but more so for the | | | | - Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) - used in nail polish as a |
| employee). | | | | plasticizer. DBP is a possible reproductive or |
| In California alone, there are over 114,000 licensed | | | | developmental toxin. |
| nail technicians and more than 260,000 licensed | | | | Many women surveyed and questioned reported |
| cosmetologists. Current data is insufficient, but at | | | | having some health problems after they began |
| this time language is considered to be the most | | | | working in the industry, particularly skin and eye |
| common barrier when trying to obtain workplace | | | | irritation, breathing difficulties and headaches. |
| health and safety information. | | | | These are just some of the apparent health |
| Many young women are in their fertile years and | | | | issues reported and doesn't cover more chronic |
| have not even had children yet and don't have a | | | | illnesses. |
| full understanding of the health risks associated | | | | It should be mentioned that there is a difference |
| with the chemicals used in nail care. | | | | between 'higher-end salons' and what is considered |
| According to a survey done within the last year | | | | to be 'lower-end salons'. As an example, products |
| from the Northern California Cancer Center and | | | | used in higher-end salons are of higher quality |
| Asian Health Services of Oakland, the women | | | | which means better formulation which equals |
| who work in these nail salons suffer acute health | | | | less-toxic chemicals. Such as when you get a |
| effects from the chemicals that they come in | | | | typical French manicure or pedicure, it is done by |
| contact with each day. | | | | hand with the nail polish. Whereas, at a lower-end |
| Many toxic and potentially hazardous ingredients, | | | | salon, it would be applied with a spray that emits |
| including solvents, plasticizers, resins and acids, are | | | | high toxic particles into the air. |
| commonly found in nail care products. Three top | | | | If you are the consumer, in the long run and for |
| ingredients of concern in many nail products are: | | | | health reasons, it is always better to pay a bit |
| - Toluene - used in nail polish - it is a clear, | | | | more and go to the higher-end salon to have |
| colorless liquid used to make products such as | | | | your nails done. Be sure the salon you frequent |
| dyes, paints, paint thinners and explosives. | | | | has proper ventilation and maintains a high level of |
| Exposure to toluene can affect the central | | | | cleanliness. |
| nervous system with low level symptoms such as | | | | Likewise, any worker in a nail salon should make |
| headache, dizziness, and fatigue. Toluene is also an | | | | sure they are aware of any health and safety |
| irritant to the eyes, nose and throat. At very high | | | | risks and obtain a copy of those risks in their |
| exposures, toluene has been found to be toxic to | | | | respective language. |
| the kidneys and liver, and is a possible | | | | |