Educational Radiance, Changes in Public Policies Needed to Reduce Health Risks in Manicure Salons

The nail salon industry has grown rapidly over the past 20 years and has become increasingly popular among women of all ages who enjoy getting their nails done professionally. For the technicians of these salons, many of whom do not speak English, this beauty has a cost: exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals and other health hazards in the workplace. A new study by the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University found that awareness and policy change are needed to help reduce these risks for employees and barbers.

Tran B. Huynh, Ph.D., badistant professor of environmental and occupational health at the Dornsife School of Public Health, led the study to identify intervention strategies at the nail salons in Philadelphia . Interviews with employees and managers / owners of various shows revealed a complex interplay between personal and environmental factors that impact health and safety practices at these shows.

The workers discussed several acute health symptoms related to the use of chemicals, ergonomics and the risks of infectious diseases, which they or their colleagues have experienced. These included headaches; irritation of the respiratory tract, eyes and skin; and pain in the shoulders, back and hands. Managers and homeowners, on the other hand, reported fewer negative symptoms or health concerns than workers, which rather attributes irritation to allergies.

Toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate – which are found in abundance in nail products – have been badociated with risks of damage to reproduction and cognitive development, cancer, allergies and irritations, and may affect the central nervous system. Although previous studies have shown that the levels of these chemicals in nail salons are relatively low, the systematic reporting of acute health symptoms in nail salon employees warrants intervention in relation to the limits of exposure. which justifies an important intervention. work long hours in the salons.

"If we want to change the policy, it is important to involve the owners and employees of the show so that the policy does not increase the burden of these companies, mainly immigrants," Huynh said.

According to Huynh, the state of New York recently pbaded strict legislation specific to nail salons, which further increases the burden for small business owners who are already trying to make ends meet. California has taken a different approach and implemented outreach programs that have created a closer collaborative relationship with hair salon owners to inspire them to create a healthier workplace for all.

"Philadelphia can learn from these two states," said Huynh. "I have worked with Philadelphia Air Management Services on indoor quality issues in salons and finding a balanced policy has not been easy."

But even simple protection practices could go a long way, according to the researchers. Salon owners should encourage employees to wear masks and gloves and to wander between clients, in addition to proper handling of chemicals and a general ventilation system.

During the study, researchers found that while some basic knowledge of hazards and control measures was generally known to employees, misconceptions about some health and safety practices also existed. These included, but were not limited to, the use of surgical masks for protection against dust and chemicals or the belief that muscle pain is primarily due to aging.

"Some of these misunderstandings were consistent with the practice reports of other states' manicure salons, which could indicate that information and training gaps persist not only in Philadelphia, but potentially in the wider area of ​​nail salons ", wrote the researchers.

According to the study, several environmental factors at the workplace play an important role in defining the safety practices of nail salons. Different owners have different management styles and organizational rules in their salons that can affect the behavior of technicians. Customers can also positively or negatively influence the practices of a salon. However, owners and technicians are generally sensitive to external requirements and enforcement.

The researchers focused on Vietnamese technicians and nail owners, since the majority of them are of Vietnamese origin, but future studies will focus on other immigrant groups working in Vietnam. the industry of manicure salons. They are in the process of defining an intervention and awareness program for employees of Vietnamese nail salons.

"Once we have determined that our intervention / outreach program is effective, we can translate documents into more languages ​​and work with more ethnic groups," Huynh said.

The study "Factors Influencing the Health and Safety Practices of Vietnamese Technicians and Owners of Manicure Salons: A Qualitative Study" was published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.

Provided by
Drexel University