| ENS: USEPA Region 6/Houston, TX nail salon worker education on chemical hazards including asthma triggers |
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/aug2004/2004-08-10-09.asp#anchor2
Nail Salon Workers Get Help With Chemical Hazards
HOUSTON, Texas, August 10, 2004 (ENS) - Solvents, hardeners, fragrances and drying or curing agents used in nail salons may be hazardous to workers, customers, and the environment if not used or disposed of properly, says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To help nail salon workers protect themselves and their customers from potentially harmful chemicals found in nail products, the EPA's Region 6 office has prepared a brochure, published in both English and in Vietnamese.
Nail salon products may contain chemicals that are a major cause of occupational asthma as well as other health and environmental concerns. Nail salon workers often are new immigrants and may not be aware of the risks with chemicals in the nail products that they are using every day.
The EPA developed the brochure after listening to concerns from the Asian-American communities in Houston and researching methods to address those concerns. Federal, state and local government agencies, individuals, and nonprofit organizations in Houston now are attempting to address the unmet needs of the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community about the health of nail salon workers.
"Pollution Prevention Practices for Nail Salons - A Guide to Protect the Health of Nail Salon Workers and their Working Environment," addresses chemicals found in nail products and their potential health effects.
Many chemicals present in nail products are very volatile; they evaporate into the air at room temperature where nail technicians and customers breathe them. In addition, nail technicians and customers may also breathe in dust that is produced when filing artificial nails. This dust may contain harmful substances such as glues, benzoyl peroxide, silica and methacrylate polymers.
Most of the products cause irritation to eyes, skin, nose, and throat, and breathing difficulty. But some may be more harmful. Formaldehyde, used in nail polish and nail hardener may cause cancer, the EPA says.
Another carcinogen is titanium dioxide, used in nail polish and released by filing acrylic artificial nails so that a fine powder is emitted.
Toluene, used in nail polish and fingernail glue, may cause liver and kidney damage, as well as weakness, exhaustion, confusion, dizziness, headache, anxiety, muscle fatigue, inability to sleep, feelings of numbness, burning, and skin rash, the EPA states.
One of the most damaging substances is Liquid Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) Monomer, now restricted or banned in 30 states. A commonly used ingredient in artificial nail products for years, liquid MMA monomer evaporates easily and bonds strongly with the nail. It may cause damage to the nail bed, permanent loss of the nail plate, and loss of sensation in the fingertips of customers and technicians. The EPA cites animal testing that shows it may cause permanent damage to the respiratory system and to the liver from long-term exposure.
The brochure recommends best shop practices that nail salon owners and workers should adopt for a better and safer working place.
First of all, nail salon owners should install a local exhaust ventilation system. "The general heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system (HVAC) only dilutes a small percentage of the air inside the shop," the EPA says.
To capture vapors and dust, and to exchange indoor air with fresh air from outside the building, a nail salon should have a ventilated table with dust and charcoal filters, a ceiling-mounted exhaust vent, or a wall-mounted exhaust vent or all three.
The EPA also recommends that salon owners install free standing air purifiers at work tables, and suggests that workers wear dust masks when applying chemicals.
In addition to this brochure, the EPA has begun to provide training to nail care stakeholders nationwide.
"The nail salon project in Houston is an example of EPA's support of communities who develop local solutions with nationwide applications," EPA Regional Administrator Richard Greene said.
The brochure is available in English at: http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/dfe/pubs/salon/nailbook-eng1.htm and in Vietnamese at: http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/dfe/pubs/salon/NailBookletVN.pdf.
A Korean version is on the way. M
ore information on the nail salons project is available at: http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/dfe/projects/salon/.
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| Date posted: 08-10-2004 |
| Posted by: Community Action to Fight Asthma |
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