Occupational Exposures Among Hair and Nail Salon Workers: a Scoping Review

Abstract

Purpose of Review To review the literature published from 2014 to 2019 on hair and nail salon workers concerning exposure assessment, reproductive and respiratory endpoints, and endocrine disruption, in relation to workplace exposures. Recent Findings We identified 29 relevant peer-reviewed publications. Overall, there were insufficient studies to determine whether working in these settings is associated with reproductive health endpoints, although prior studies suggest that reproductive effects are of concern. There is consistent evidence that working in hair and nail salons may increase the risk of respiratory effects. Also, despite the fact that many hair and nail care products contain endocrine disrupting compounds, no recent studies have evaluated endocrine-related endpoints. Moreover, few studies have evaluated chemical exposures in these settings and biomonitoring studies are sparse. Summary Improved exposure assessment of chemical hazards in hair and nail salons is necessary to properly characterize occupational exposures and assess their potential health risks. Further studies on endpoints related to endocrine disruption and reproductive health outcomes among hair and nail salon workers are needed. Improved exposure and epidemiologic studies will help inform chemical exposure mitigation efforts in a vulnerable occupational population, as well as policies related to workplace and consumer product safety.

Occupational exposures and respiratory symptoms and lung function among hairdressers in Iran: a cross-sectional study

“…The online version contains supplementary material available at https ://doi.org/10.1007/s0042 0-020-01645 -z. (Quiros-Alcala et al 2019). Quiros-Alcala et al reviewed the literature published from 2014 to 2019 on hair and nail salon workers.…”

“…They concluded that there is consistent evidence that working in hair and nail salons may increase the risk of respiratory effects. (Quiros-Alcala et al 2019). Potentially hazardous exposures include, but are not limited to, bleaches, conditioners, detergents, dyes, fixatives, and relaxers or straighteners that are most often used as commercially prepared mixtures (Labrèche et al 2003;Pak et al 2013).…”

“…Potentially hazardous exposures include, but are not limited to, bleaches, conditioners, detergents, dyes, fixatives, and relaxers or straighteners that are most often used as commercially prepared mixtures (Labrèche et al 2003;Pak et al 2013). Several of these product categories can generate chemical aerosols during hairdressing activities, and hairdressingspecific aerosol particles have been shown to be capable to penetrate into the lungs (Nilsson et al 2016) Frequently used specific chemicals that have been reported to have adverse effects on people include formaldehyde in shampoos, ammonium compounds in hair dyes and nail cleaners, ammonium acetate, polyvinyl and ethanol in hair sprays, persulfate salt such as sodium persulfate and potassium persulfate in hair bleaches, ammonium, potassium, solvents, and phenylene diamine in hair dyes, glycerol thioglycolate in permanent hair curler, styrene and 1,4 dioxane in hair extension glues, phthalates as fixatives, and hydrogen peroxide in emulsions and creams (Pak et al 2013;Quiros-Alcala et al 2019). Hair bleaching and use of hair sprays have been reported to be particularly hazardous work tasks (Leino et al 1998).…”

“…During bleaching (i.e., discoloring), hairdressers use a mixture of oxidized powder and an alkaline solution to fade the natural hair color. When the hairdressers mix these substances, some of the chemicals are released into the air and are inhaled by the hairdressers, so they can reach the lining of the airways of the hairdressers and thus can cause respiratory symptoms (Quiros-Alcala et al 2019). The causal mechanisms can be either an irritant mechanism, or in some cases, a hypersensitivity (i.e., allergic) mechanism.…”

“…(Akpinar-Elci et al 2002). A recent review of hairdressers' health outcomes has documented that excess of respiratory symptoms, lung function decrements, and markers of lung inflammation are more common among hair salon workers following their employment as hairdressers or compared to control populations, including jobs in education, as well as the unemployed (Quiros-Alcala et al 2019).…”