March 29, 2024

Unexpectedly High Levels of Hazardous Chemicals Found in Nail Salons

The study, to be published today (February 14, 2022) in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, discovered that direct exposure to some hazardous chemicals was greater among nail professionals than amongst electronic waste employees.
” We were really shocked to find exposures for some chemicals as much as 30 times greater among nail beauty parlor employees relative to direct exposures in houses, and up to 10 times higher than in e-waste handling facilities,” stated Miriam Diamond, co-author and professor at the University of Torontos Department of Earth Sciences.
Jackie Liang working in a Toronto nail hair salon. Credit: Giovana Ramos and Praven Yoganathan
The research study reported higher direct exposures of a number of phthalate plasticizers, which was expected given the use of these chemicals in individual care products. One phthalate plasticizer, DEHP, which is not allowed for usage in cosmetics under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, was found at low levels. “The finding of low exposure to the plasticizer DEHP is necessary– it shows the present guidelines for this substance are working,” Diamond said.
What was unexpected was the finding of some high levels of flame retardants that are not understood to be used in personal care items.
Prof. Victoria Arrandale, Dalla Lana School of Public Health Credit: Dalla Lana School of Public Health.
Numerous of the chemicals studied have some limitations on their use (or limitations are proposed) under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Nevertheless, many of these chemicals are not clearly controlled in Ontario workplaces. The specific source of these chemicals in nail hair salons was not determined in this research study.
These chemicals have been related to negative health effects including reproductive and neurological effects, with some proof that in utero exposure may be very important.
“Nail service technicians have been raising concerns about the impact of their deal with their bodies, including stress over reproductive, breathing, skin, and musculoskeletal health for numerous years now,” stated Victoria Arrandale, co-author and assistant teacher at the University of Torontos Dalla Lana School of Public Health.
In spite of these issues, nail specialists take pleasure in the artistry and personal care that their work involves.
“This research reveals us that our federal government needs to pay attention to making the products that are utilized in nail beauty salons more secure, for both consumers and nail service technicians,” stated Van Tran, nail specialist and Nail Salon Outreach Worker at Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre.
This research study points to the requirement to think about the wide variety of workplace settings when regulating chemical use in Canada. Study authors advise government and item producers to make more secure personal care items and safer areas for workers and consumers in the individual services sector.
“We are proud of the work we do and we would like our work environments to be much safer,” stated Jackie Liang, nail service technician and Community Health Worker at Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre.
Referral: 14 February 2022, Environmental Science & & Technology.
The study was a collaboration of researchers at the University of Toronto, Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Centre for Research Expertise in Occupational Disease, and the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre. The goal of the study was to better comprehend workplace risks in discount nail beauty parlors. This research study was funded by the Ministry of Labour Training and Skills Development Research Opportunity Program.

The research study reported greater direct exposures of numerous phthalate plasticizers, which was expected provided the use of these chemicals in personal care products. Several of the chemicals studied have some restrictions on their usage (or constraints are proposed) under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. The particular source of these chemicals in nail hair salons was not figured out in this research study.
The goal of the research study was to much better comprehend work environment dangers in discount rate nail beauty salons.

First evaluation of chemical exposures amongst nail beauty salon specialists in Canada found suddenly high direct exposures to numerous chemicals utilized as plasticizers and flame retardants.
A recent University of Toronto study, in collaboration with Parkdale Queen West Community Heath Centre and the Healthy Nail Salons Network, reveals that nail specialists in discount rate hair salons are exposed to a number of chemicals commonly used as plasticizers and flame retardants.