Determinants of Exposures to Hazardous Materials among Nail Cosmeticians in the Kampala City, Uganda

Abstract

Globally, nail salons represent a fast expanding industry and often with low-income cosmeticians. In general, cosmeticians have limited access to safety information about the hazardous materials they handle, which would potentially enable them to minimize workplace exposures. The problem is much pronounced in low- and middle-income countries due to weaknesses in regulation of the industry. We investigated determinants of exposures to hazardous materials among nail cosmeticians in Kampala District, Uganda. We employed a cross-sectional study design among a random sample of 243 participants. The sociodemographic characteristics, education and training status, knowledge about routes of exposure to hazardous chemicals, and personal protective material use of cosmeticians were assessed through face-to-face interviews. Most cosmeticians were aged 18–34 years, and more males were engaged in this work than females. Also, 82.7% believed inhalation was the major exposure route for the chemicals they handled. Participants who had attained secondary-level education and above were over three times more likely to wear masks (AOR = 3.19, 95% CI 1.58–6.41) and gloves (AOR = 3.48, 95% CI 1.55–7.81) and over two times more likely to use aprons (AOR = 2.50, 95% CI 1.18–5.32). Participants who had ever received safety training on hazardous chemicals were more likely to wear all four personal protective equipment: masks (AOR = 3.21, 95% CI 1.61–6.42), gloves (AOR = 4.23, 95% CI 2.05–8.75), goggles (AOR = 4.14, 95% CI 1.25–13.65), and aprons (AOR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.25–5.96). Participants who had spent more than two years in the nail cosmetics business were more likely to wear masks (AOR = 3.37, 95% CI 1.64–6.95). With the increasing demand for nail cosmetics, and many people in urban areas of low-income countries engaging in this industry, there is need for training and better workplace policies to promote a healthier urban workforce dealing in cosmetics.

The cost of beauty: Perspectives of salon workers in Kisumu City, Kenya

“…A majority (70%) of the salon workers were knowledgeable about pathways through which any toxic substances in cosmetics and PCPs enter the body. This finding is consistent, in a general cosmetological context, with that of a study conducted in Uganda on nail cosmeticians [ 12 ], which showed that a majority of nail workers in Kampala City were knowledgeable about potential harms from hazardous materials contained in nail care products.…”

“…In terms of risks associated with occupational exposure to cosmetics and PCPs, a majority (88%) of the salon workers were aware that occupational exposure to cosmetics and PCPs can cause ill health. Previous studies that have reported comparably high levels of knowledge have attributed it to workplace training of salon workers [ 12 , 18 ]. In this study, the role of workplace training on knowledge of risks associated with occupational exposure to cosmetics and PCPs was not investigated.…”

“…attributed it to workplace training of salon workers [12,18]. In this study, the role of workplace training on knowledge of risks associated with occupational exposure to cosmetics and PCPs was not investigated.…”

“…In spite of the occupational risks, salon workers lack formal protections and have limited opportunities for recourse. Yet across the globe, salon workers are often a vulnerable group because they are more likely to be immigrants [11], and people of low socio-economic and education status [11,12]. In the absence of formal protections, they tend to work under poor working conditions that expose them to ergonomic complications and both physical and psychological abuse [13][14][15], experiences that may exacerbate consequences of exposure to hazardous chemicals in cosmetics and PCPs.…”

Exposure of formal and informal nail technicians to organic solvents found in nail products

“…The informal sector salons and technicians, however, procure products that are readily available and affordable, and which might contain banned and unsafe chemicals. This practice was reported in a study in Uganda where nail salons used cheap cosmetics to keep costs low (23).…”