Indoor Air Quality Survey of Nail Salons in Boston

Abstract

Employees in nail salons, largely Vietnamese immigrant women in Boston, are exposed to a range of volatile organic chemicals from the products used in salons, including solvents, glues and polishes. Some of these chemicals have the potential to cause short and long-term adverse health effects. Only limited research has been performed on assessing occupational exposures. This project aimed to characterize total volatile organic compound (TVOC) and PM2.5 concentrations in nail salons as a function of ventilation, building characteristics, customer and employee occupancy, and type of services being performed. Students conducted sampling in 21 salons in Boston, MA from September to December, 2011. Study visits included: indoor environmental quality measurements (TVOCs, PM2.5 and carbon dioxide), site observations, and an interview. CO2 levels in 15 of 21 salons exceeded 800 ppm, suggesting that these salons may have insufficient ventilation. Higher TVOC and PM2.5 levels were found in salons with less ventilation (as estimated using CO2 concentrations). Contrary to our a priori hypothesis, average levels of TVOCs, CO2 and PM2.5 were consistent throughout salons, indicating that exposures may not be restricted to areas in the salon where work is being performed (e.g., at the manicure table). Higher TVOC concentrations were observed when tasks were being performed, yet were not dependent upon the number of tasks being performed. Improving ventilation conditions in salons to meet minimum outdoor air delivery requirements can reduce exposures to TVOCs.

VOC sources and exposures in nail salons: a pilot study in Michigan, USA

“…Adverse health effects observed among NSTs include asthma, dermatitis, and neurological symptoms (Quach et al 2014; Roelofs et al 2008). In addition, some VOCs can form less volatile carbonyls, acids, and oxygenated products that may condense to form secondary organic aerosols that may affect health (Goldin et al 2014). …”

Biological and environmental exposure monitoring of volatile organic compounds among nail technicians in the Greater Boston area

“…Exposure assessment of nail technicians has been limited by a number of occupational constraints requiring control and characterization including numerous product formulations, limited accessibility to worker populations, and work environments that are often small, confined, and have client visibility. Most research has involved assessing ventilation and educating nail technicians . These studies have found that nail salons with limited ventilation often have the highest levels of total volatile organic compound (TVOC, the sum of VOCs detected with a real‐time instrument) .…”

“…These studies have found that nail salons with limited ventilation often have the highest levels of total volatile organic compound (TVOC, the sum of VOCs detected with a real‐time instrument) . Nail salons do not always provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and management and employees have limited knowledge of appropriate health and safety precautions . Only a few studies have assessed worker exposure to VOCs, most finding strong odors and air levels well below occupational exposure limits (OELs) for individual VOCs or mixture of VOCs .…”

“…Most research has involved assessing ventilation 11,12 and educating nail technicians. 13,14 These studies have found that nail salons with limited ventilation often have the highest levels of total volatile organic compound (TVOC, the sum of VOCs detected with a real-time instrument). 15,16 Nail salons do not always provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and management and employees have limited knowledge of appropriate health and safety precautions.…”

“…15,16 Nail salons do not always provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and management and employees have limited knowledge of appropriate health and safety precautions. 14,15 Only a few studies have assessed worker exposure to VOCs, most finding strong odors and air levels well below occupational exposure limits (OELs) for individual VOCs or mixture of VOCs. 5,9,[16][17][18][19][20] There has been one study measuring nail technicians' urinary VOC biomarkers.…”