Maternal occupation as a nail technician or hairdresser during pregnancy and birth defects, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2011

Abstract

ObjectiveNail technicians and hairdressers may be exposed to chemicals with potential reproductive effects. While studies have examined birth defects in children of hairdressers, those in children of nail technicians have not been evaluated. We investigated associations between selected birth defects and maternal occupation as a nail technician or hairdresser versus a non-cosmetology occupation during pregnancy.MethodsWe analysed population-based case–control data from the multisite National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2011. Cases were fetuses or infants with major structural birth defects; controls were live-born infants without major birth defects. Expert raters classified self-reported maternal jobs as nail technician, combination nail technician-hairdresser, hairdresser, other cosmetology work or non-cosmetology work. We used logistic regression to calculate adjusted ORs and 95% CIs for associations between occupation during pregnancy and birth defects, controlling for age, smoking, education and race/ethnicity.ResultsSixty-one mothers worked as nail technicians, 196 as hairdressers, 39 as combination nail technician-hairdressers and 42 810 as non-cosmetologists. The strongest associations among nail technicians included seven congenital heart defect (CHD) groups (ORs ranging from 2.7 to 3.5) and neural tube defects (OR=2.6, CI=0.8 to 8.4). Birth defects most strongly associated with hairdressing included anotia/microtia (OR=2.1, CI=0.6 to 6.9) and cleft lip with cleft palate (OR=2.0, CI=1.1 to 3.7). All oral cleft groups were associated with combination nail technician-hairdresser work (ORs ranging from 4.2 to 5.3).ConclusionsSmall samples resulted in wide CIs. Still, results suggest associations between maternal nail technician work during pregnancy and CHDs and between hairdressing work and oral clefts.

Stakeholders’ perspectives on the feasibility of adopting a Healthy Nail Salon Recognition Program in Philadelphia: A qualitative study

“…Low wage, precariously employed, minority nail care workers is an underserved community in the United States (US) (Sharma et al,hh 2018). Despite the documented harmful respiratory, neurological, and reproductive health effects from chronic exposure to low levels of chemicals from nail products and other work-related hazards in this worker population across the country (Dang et al, 2021; Huynh et al, 2019; LoSasso et al, 2002; Ma et al, 2019; Nguyen et al, 2022; Quach et al, 2008; Quiros-Alcala et al, 2019; Roelofs et al, 2008; Siegel et al, 2021). Limited oversight at the federal level combined with patchwork of laws at the state level to regulate toxic chemicals in personal care products and cosmetics have resulted a plethora of harmful products available to the consumers (U.S.…”

“…Low wage, precariously employed, minority nail care workers is an underserved community in the United States (US) (Sharma et al,hh 2018). Despite the documented harmful respiratory, neurological, and reproductive health effects from chronic exposure to low levels of chemicals from nail products and other work-related hazards in this worker population across the country (Dang et al, 2021;Huynh et al, 2019;LoSasso et al, 2002;Ma et al, 2019;Quach et al, 2008;Quiros-Alcala et al, 2019;Roelofs et al, 2008;Siegel et al, 2021).…”

A rare case of acrocallosal syndrome in a neonate with a history of maternal exposure to cosmetics-related chemicals

“…In a study by Rylander et al, it was determined that a greater proportion of children born to hairdressers suffered major malformations (2.8% vs 2.1%) [23]. However, in previous studies, mostly oral clefts have been linked to mother's occupation as a hairdresser [24]. On the other hand, laboratory research on mice have demonstrated that exposure to cosmetics-related chemicals including toluene, significantly raises an index of poor perinatal outcome, comprising morphological and marginal neurodevelopmental malformations and newborn mortality [25].…”

A case of acrocallosal syndrome in a neonate with congenital heart abnormality

“…18 However, in previous studies, mostly oral clefts have been linked to mother's occupation as a hairdresser. 19 On the other hand, laboratory research on mice have demonstrated that exposure to cosmetics-related chemicals including toluene, significantly raises an index of poor perinatal outcome, comprising morphological and marginal neurodevelopmental malformations and newborn mortality. 20 These studies imply that the mother's exposure to cosmetic-related substances may be a possible cause of the neonate's abnormalities.…”