High levels of hazardous chemicals found in Canadian nail salons

Date:
February 14, 2022
Source:
University of Toronto
Summary:
An assessment of chemical exposures among nail salon technicians
in Canada found unexpectedly high exposures to several chemicals
used as plasticizers and flame retardants.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
A recent University of Toronto study, in collaboration with Parkdale
Queen West Community Heath Centre and the Healthy Nail Salons Network,
shows that nail technicians in discount salons are exposed to several
chemicals widely used as plasticizers and flame retardants.


==========================================================================
The study, to be published Feb. 14 in the journal Environmental Science
and Technology, found that exposure to some hazardous chemicals was
higher among nail technicians than among electronic waste workers.

"We were very surprised to find exposures for some chemicals up to 30
times higher among nail salon workers relative to exposures in homes,
and up to 10 times higher than in e-waste handling facilities," said
Miriam Diamond, co- author and professor at the University of Toronto's Department of Earth Sciences.

The study reported higher exposures of several phthalate plasticizers,
which was expected given the use of these chemicals in personal care
products. One phthalate plasticizer, DEHP, which is not allowed for
use in cosmetics under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, was
found at low levels. "The finding of low exposure to the plasticizer
DEHP is important -- it shows the current regulations for this compound
are working," Diamond said.

However, what was unexpected was the finding of some high levels of
flame retardants that are not known to be used in personal care products.

Several of the chemicals studied have some restrictions on their use (or restrictions are proposed) under the Canadian Environmental Protection
Act.

However, most of these chemicals are not explicitly regulated in Ontario workplaces. The specific source of these chemicals in nail salons was
not determined in this study.



========================================================================== These chemicals have been associated with adverse health effects including neurological and reproductive effects, with some evidence that in utero exposure may be important.

"Nail technicians have been raising concerns about the impact of their
work on their bodies, including worries about reproductive, respiratory,
skin and musculoskeletal health for many years now," said Victoria
Arrandale, co-author and assistant professor at the University of
Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health.

Despite these concerns, nail technicians enjoy the artistry and personal
care that their work entails.

"This research shows us that our federal government needs to pay attention
to making the products that are used in nail salons safer, for both
customers and nail technicians," said Van Tran, nail technician and Nail
Salon Outreach Worker at Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre.

This study points to the need to consider the wide range of workplace
settings when regulating chemical use in Canada. Study authors urge
government and product manufacturers to make safer personal care
products and safer spaces for workers and customers in the personal
services sector.

"We are proud of the work we do and we would like our workplaces to be
safer," said Jackie Liang, nail technician and Community Health Worker
at Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre.

The study was a joint effort of researchers at the University of
Toronto, Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Centre for Research
Expertise in Occupational Disease, and the Parkdale Queen West Community
Health Centre. The aim of the study was to better understand workplace
hazards in discount nail salons. This study was funded by the Ministry
of Labour Training and Skills Development Research Opportunity Program ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Toronto. Original
written by Heidi Singer.

Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Linh V. Nguyen, Miriam L. Diamond, Sheila Kalenge, Tracy L. Kirkham,
D.

Linn Holness, Victoria H. Arrandale. Occupational Exposure of
Canadian Nail Salon Workers to Plasticizers Including Phthalates
and Organophosphate Esters. Environmental Science & Technology,
2022; DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04974 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220214095819.htm

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