Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive method of obtaining an indirect measure of a patient's peripheral oxygen saturation of haemoglobin in the blood (SpO 2 ), and is commonly used in acute and primary care settings. Obtaining an SpO 2 measurement involves the use of a pulse oximeter, which is typically attached to the patient's fingertip. This article describes how pulse oximetry works, discusses its limitations as a single metric and explores its applicability to the airway, breathing, circulation, disability and exposure (ABCDE) assessment approach and to the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) 2 'track and trigger' tool. The article also discusses the use of pulse oximetry in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and considers some of the challenges associated with its use, specifically in relation to skin integrity and patient comfort, skin tone, suboptimal peripheral circulation and the effects of nail polish on the accuracy of readings.

Background/Objectives: Regenerative endodontic treatment (RET) depends on the release of dentin-derived bioactive molecules, which is commonly promoted by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-based dentin conditioning. However, whether adjunctive ozone delivery protocols can modify the measurable release of dentin-derived transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) remains unclear. This study evaluated the effects of two adjunctive ozone application protocols used with chelation on dentin-derived TGF-β1 and IGF-1 release, without directly assessing the in situ activation or functional bioactivity of TGF-β1. Methods: Sixty-four freshly extracted human mandibular premolars were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 16). The experimental protocols were as follows: 17% EDTA alone (Group A), 17% EDTA followed by ozonated distilled water and ozone gas (Group B), ozonated 17% EDTA followed by ozone gas (Group C), and a negative control group. Root segments were standardized. In the experimental groups, all external surfaces were coated with nail varnish, leaving only the intracanal dentin surface exposed. In the negative control group, all surfaces were sealed. After ultrasonic activation, the specimens were incubated in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 37 °C. PBS samples were collected on day 1 to evaluate early measurable growth factor release and on day 7 to assess short-term changes in detectable growth factor levels. TGF-β1 and IGF-1 levels were measured by ELISA and normalized to internal dentin surface area derived from micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis. Results: No detectable growth factor values were observed in the negative control group. For TGF-β1, no significant intergroup difference was observed on day 1, whereas a significant difference was found on day 7 (p = 0.022). On day 7, the ozonated EDTA followed by ozone gas group showed approximately threefold higher surface-area-normalized TGF-β1 values than the EDTA followed by ozonated distilled water and ozone gas group (p = 0.018). TGF-β1 values increased from day 1 to day 7 in Groups A and C, whereas no significant temporal change was observed in Group B. IGF-1 values showed no significant intergroup or intragroup differences. Conclusions: Adjunctive ozone application showed a protocol-dependent effect on dentin-derived growth factor values, mainly for TGF-β1, while IGF-1 remained unaffected. The highest TGF-β1 values were observed when ozonated EDTA was followed by ozone gas. However, these in vitro findings indicate measurable growth factor release and should not be interpreted as direct evidence of TGF-β1 activation or clinical regenerative efficacy.

Glossed over: the increasing importance of ultraviolet-cured gel nail polish in allergic contact dermatitis.

Patient: Female, 67-year-oldFinal Diagnosis: MethemoglobinemiaSymptoms: Cyanosis encephalopathy hypoxemiaClinical Procedure: —Specialty: Critical Care Medicine ToxicologyObjective: Rare diseaseBackgroundMethemoglobinemia is an uncommon hemoglobinopathy caused by oxidation of heme iron from its ferrous (Fe2+) state to the ferric (Fe3+) state, resulting in functional anemia that does not improve with supplemental oxygen. “Poppers” is a slang term for recreational drugs marketed as nail polish removers or room deodorizers, often sold under brand names such as “Jungle Juice,” which may cause methemoglobinemia due to their nitrite content.Case ReportA 67-year-old White woman accidentally ingested “Jungle Juice” nail polish remover containing isobutyl nitrite, resulting in severe methemoglobinemia. Clinical hallmarks included cyanosis, chocolate-colored blood, refractory hypoxemia unresponsive to supplemental oxygen, and a partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)-saturation gap.ConclusionsMethemoglobinemia is a potentially life-threatening hemoglobinopathy that causes functional anemia unresponsive to supplemental oxygen. “Poppers” can induce methemoglobinemia. Despite legislative efforts to regulate these products and prevent misuse, manufacturers continue to exploit regulatory loopholes by producing chemical analogs exempt from current drug laws. Additionally, there has been an emerging trend of sodium nitrite ingestion to induce methemoglobinemia in suicide attempts over recent years, driven by its accessibility and increasing online dissemination. Given the rise in “popper” use and sodium nitrite ingestion, emergency physicians should be aware of these trends and the associated products to facilitate early recognition and prompt treatment of this rare condition.

Integrating STEAM Education into Project Based Learning by Exploring Ethyl Acetate in Nail Polish

Flexible screen-printedelectrodes (FSPEs) fabricated from eco-friendlyand recyclable materials represent a promising strategy for developingcost-effective and sustainable electrochemical sensors. In this study,FSPEs were fabricated on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substratesobtained from recycled plastic bottles, using carbon and silver conductiveinks, with colorless nail polish as an insulating layer. To enhanceelectrochemical performance, the working electrode surface was modifiedwith a polyvinylpyrrolidone-copper oxide (PVP-CuO) nanocomposite viadrop casting. The PVP matrix ensured uniform film formation and improvedelectrode stability, while CuO nanoparticles provided abundant electroactivesites and promoted faster electron transfer. The fabricated electrodedisplayed notable electrocatalytic activity for the simultaneous determinationof dopamine (DA) and paracetamol (PAR), two analytes commonly presentin biological fluids and pharmaceutical formulations. In addition,the PVP/CuO modification significantly improved the electrode’ssensitivity and selectivity toward both analytes by facilitating efficientanalyte–electrode interactions and enhancing charge-transferkinetics. Under optimized conditions, the PVP/CuO modified FSPE sensordemonstrated low detection limits of 1.188 μM for DA and 1.024μM for PAR, with a wide linear range of 4.0–1000.0 μMand good reproducibility. The proposed platform offers a sustainable,low-cost, and efficient approach for the simultaneous electrochemicaldetection of DA and PAR.

ABSTRACT Material genre for triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) is perhaps the most diverse, where the active layer can be prepared with a variety of unconventional materials such as several types of waste articles, different parts of plants, fruit peels and shells, fibres, silk, and animal‐origin products. Here, another and yet unexplored class of materials, cosmetic materials, have been reported, where nail‐paints (NPs) have been investigated as the active layer of the TENG. The constituents of NP, nitrocellulose and various aromatic plasticizers, impart tribo‐positive character to the resultant film. In vertical contact separation mode, NP‐TENG produces an open‐circuit voltage of ∼120 V and short‐circuit current of ∼12 µA with an aluminum layer, which increases to ∼400 V and ∼40 µA, respectively, with polydimethylsiloxane as the negative layer. With NP‐TENGs, energy is harvested seamlessly by drawing a layer of nail paint in any shape, colour, or pattern, which can be quickly modified to any other variant. Performance of NP‐TENGs is remarkably resistant against water immersion, oil application, sand contamination, temperature, and bending. With simple paint‐and‐produce processing, NP‐TENGs are a highly facile and accessible option for harvesting energy anytime and anywhere, where assembling and disassembling of TENG is as prompt as application and removal of nail‐paint for beautification.

ABSTRACT A swipe of nail polish can spark a flood of judgement, humour, and unexpected solidarity on TikTok. Focusing on responses to men in the South African context who post videos with painted nails, the article explores how masculinity is policed, negotiated, and sometimes conditionally affirmed within everyday platform discourse. The analysis is grounded in reflexive digital field observation and an analytic autoethnographic component. Structured memos captured during repeated observations of comment sections, alongside reflexive notes that document the author’s own adoption of nail painting, has shaped the research questions and interpretative lens. Using a thematic, discourse-oriented approach, five recurring patterns emerge: (1) “real man” respectability policing; (2) sexual labelling and homophobic shortcutting; (3) humour/banter as plausibly deniable ridicule; (4) aesthetic and trend-based legitimation that enables conditional permission; and (5) affirmation and ally praise that expands visibility while often retaining normative boundaries. Rather than claiming linear social transformation, the article argues that these interactions reveal ongoing boundary work around acceptable masculinity in a public platform, where visibility simultaneously invites support and intensifies policing. Ethical harm minimisation is addressed through non-traceable reporting practices, including paraphrase and the avoidance of identifying details.

Introduction: Indirect Pulp Capping (IPC) is defined as a procedure wherein a small amount of carious dentin is retained in deep areas of the cavity to avoid exposure of pulp, followed by placement of a suitable medicament and restorative material that seals off the carious dentin and encourages pulp recovery. Calcium hydroxide has been the gold standard for pulp capping material due to its exceptional biocompatibility, antibacterial properties, and ability to encourage the formation of reparative dentin. Fish Bone (FB) powder is a naturally occurring substance that has shown promise as a pulp capping material. It contains a lot of calcium, phosphates, and other bioactive substances that could help with dentinogenesis and repair. To ascertain whether it can be a suitable substitute for or addition to calcium hydroxide, its antimicrobial activity and sealing capacity must be thoroughly assessed. Need of the study: The current study can demonstrate the antimicrobial effectiveness and sealing ability of FB paste as a pulp capping material. Aim: To evaluate and compare the anti-microbial efficacy and sealing ability of FB paste with calcium hydroxide paste as pulp capping materials through an in-vitro study. Materials and Methods: An in-vitro study will be conducted in Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry at Sharad Pawar Dental College, Wardha, Maharashtra, India, from May 2025 to December 2025, in which FB paste and calcium hydroxide paste will be prepared to evaluate and compare the anti-microbial efficacy and sealing ability for an in-vitro investigation in the Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry at Sharad Pawar Dental College, Wardha, Maharashtra, India. The agar diffusion method will be used to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of calcium hydroxide paste and FB paste against Enterococcus faecalis. After being cultivated in brain-heart infusion broth for the entire night, the E. faecalis stock culture will be injected onto Muller-Hinton agar plates. A copper puncher will be used to create wells on the plates that are 4 mm in diameter and 4 mm deep. The wells will then be promptly filled with freshly created, specially designed test materials. After being incubated at 37°C for 24 and 72 hours, the agar plates will be evaluated. The diameter of the zone of inhibition will be measured in millimetres after incubation. The dye penetration method will be used to evaluate the sealing ability of calcium hydroxide paste and FB paste. After preparing a Class I cavity, pulp capping material consisting of calcium hydroxide and powdered FBs will be inserted into the cavity. All samples will undergo 500 thermocycling cycles with 60-second dwell intervals to replicate dental conditions, and each tooth will receive two coats of nail polish with a 1 mm margin around the restoration border. Following a 24-hour incubation period at room temperature in 5% methylene blue dye, the samples will be rinsed under running water and then sectioned mesiodistally using a diamond disk with water cooling. To assess the material's capacity to seal, the degree of dye penetration will be evaluated. The Chi-square test, student paired and unpaired t-test, One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Tukey test will all be used in the statistical analysis.

The increasing global trend in nail beautification may lead to analyses of nails with semi-permanent polish for the identification of degraded human remains. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cosmetic nail treatment on forensic STR DNA profiling and phenotyping of eye, hair, and skin colour characteristics using a massively parallel sequencing (MPS) assay. Forty-two nail samples obtained from 21 volunteers, classified in "new", occasional and regular semi-permanent polish users, were submitted to DNA analysis. The use of semi-permanent nail polish, particularly when applied repeatedly, resulted in a significant reduction in DNA recovery, but it did not affect STR typing for personal identification. Mixed STR profiles were observed in 28.6% of the samples, indicating that the nail washing procedure employed before DNA extraction did not completely remove the foreign DNA; however, this could be useful depending on the forensic context. FDP analysis was successfully applied on nails with semi-permanent polish that showed a good quantity of DNA and single-source profiles. The results highlight the evidentiary value of fingernails even if treated with semi-permanent nail polish that should still be regarded as a source of DNA for personal identification and further investigation in the forensic context.

Background: New technologies have developed to allow newly created enamel caries to be remineralized. Silver nanoparticle (NP) products have a strong inhibitory and bactericidal effect. Silver ions may penetrate carious lesions, which may precipitate and cause enamel to harden. Objectives: This study evaluates and compares the effectiveness of the application of silver NPs with sodium fluoride solution on the microhardness of artificially induced demineralization on the enamel surface in comparison with sodium fluoride alone. Materials and methods: Thirteen upper first premolars that were extracted for orthodontic therapy were used. Each tooth was cleaned, inspected, polished and painted with acid-resistant nail polish to create a circular window with a diameter of 2×2mm. Then it was soaked in a demineralizing solution for four days after that the teeth were divided in to three groups (A: untreated, B: treated with silver NPs and 5% sodium fluoride and C: treated with 5% sodium fluoride) groups were immersed for 4 minutes, and all stages were conducted under room temperature. A digital Vickers microhardness tester with a diamond indenter with 500 g of load applied for 30 s directed vertically to the enamel surface was used to measure microhardness. The Vickers microhardness test results show that the solution of sodium fluoride and silver NPs has higher microhardness ratings (mean surface microhardness [SMH] 286.837) than sodium fluoride alone (mean SMH 191.530) with significant P value = 0.00001. Conclusion: Using silver Silver nanoparticles with sodium fluoride is better than using sodium fluoride alone in increasing surface microhardness; thus, it is more promising in remineralizing enamel caries.

Introduction: Mica, a naturally shimmering mineral, forms the foundation of several cosmetic products, including eye shadows, highlighters, and nail polishes. In India, major mica deposits are found in Jharkhand and Bihar, where extraction remains largely informal and unregulated. Workers, including women and children, often mine under unsafe conditions with minimal protective equipment. Such practices expose them to a range of occupational hazards—respiratory illnesses, musculoskeletal disorders, injuries, and psychosocial stress—while also creating broader environmental and community health challenges. Despite the mineral’s economic value, research on the public health consequences of mica mining remains limited. Methodology: A scoping review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and grey literature, including NGO and investigative reports. Studies focusing on occupational health outcomes, environmental exposure, or social determinants linked to mica mining were included. Data were extracted on exposure type, population, outcomes, and policy relevance, and synthesized descriptively. Results: Findings reveal significant evidence of occupational risks, particularly chronic respiratory disorders, ergonomic strain, and high rates of child labour. Environmental assessments report heavy metal contamination in soil and water near mining areas. Community-level effects include poor nutrition, limited healthcare access, and psychosocial strain among miners’ families. Conclusion: Mica mining poses a serious occupational and public health concern in India. Strengthening occupational safety standards, regulating informal mining, and promoting ethical, sustainable sourcing are critical to protect worker health and community well-being. Keywords: Mica mining, Occupational health, Public health, Child labour, Environmental contamination, India, Ethical sourcing.

Introduction: Mica, a naturally occurring mineral, is widely used in India’s cosmetic industry for lipsticks, eye-shadows, nail polish, and powders. Despite its commercial importance, mica mining in states such as Jharkhand and Bihar is largely informal and unregulated, exposing workers, including children, to serious occupational hazards. These include respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal injuries, and psychosocial stress, compounded by unsafe working conditions and environmental degradation. Evidence synthesis on the occupational, environmental, and social consequences of mica mining in India is limited. Methodology: A scoping review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and grey literature, including NGO and investigative reports. Studies reporting occupational health outcomes, child labour, environmental exposure, or supply chain issues were included. Data were extracted on exposure, population, outcomes, and policy relevance, and findings were synthesized descriptively. Result: The review identified substantial evidence of occupational and environmental hazards, including chronic respiratory illness, musculoskeletal injuries, and widespread child labour. Environmental assessments highlighted soil and water contamination near mining sites. Reports confirm mica’s extensive use in the cosmetic industry and underline ethical concerns related to its sourcing. Existing policy initiatives, such as the Responsible Mica Initiative, show progress but enforcement remains limited. Conclusion: Mica mining in India poses significant occupational and environmental challenges. The cosmetic industry’s reliance on mica underscores an ethical imperative for responsible sourcing or safer alternatives. Strengthened regulations, elimination of child labour, and sustainable supply chain practices are critical to protect worker health and uphold industry ethics Keywords: Mica mining, Occupational health, Child labour, Environmental contamination, Cosmetic industry, India, Ethical sourcing, Public health

To compare and evaluate the sealing ability and depth of penetration for resin-modified light-cured calcium silicate, that is, TheraCal LC, used as a pit-and-fissure sealant, to that of GC Fuji VII glass ionomer-based sealant. A probability sampling of 28 freshly extracted maxillary and mandibular premolar teeth was chosen and divided into two groups, each containing 14 teeth, and the study was conducted using the following materials in the respective groups: group I-TheraCal LC and group II-GC Fuji VII. Firstly, the samples were subjected to thermocycling up to 500 cycles at 5 and 55°C. Then the apices of the teeth were sealed with acrylic resin, followed by two coats of nail polish, and the samples were immersed in 5 % methylene blue dye for 24 hours. Longitudinal sections were obtained from each tooth for evaluating the sealing ability and penetration depth using a stereomicroscope at 2.5× magnification. The sectioned samples' sealing ability was evaluated based on Ovrebo and Raadal's criteria. The procured data were analyzed using the Chi-squared test and independent t-test. The comparability between the two groups for sealing ability and penetration depth showed a statistically insignificant difference (p = 0.13, p = 0.49, respectively). TheraCal LC as a pit-and-fissure sealant demonstrates favorable results concerning both sealing ability and penetration depth. Eddula RR, Choudhary S, Merum K, et al. Evaluation of the Sealing Ability and Penetration Depth of the TheraCal LC as a Sealant for Pit and Fissures: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2026;19(3):303-307.

The bacterial world is a promising source for the production of colored metabolites known as bacterial pigments. Synthetic dyes are responsible for health problems such as allergies, cancer, toxicity, and hyperactivity and for environmental issues such as pollution of waterways, disruption in aquatic ecosystems, inhibition of photosynthesis, and bioaccumulation in food chains. These concerns have provided the microbial world a chance of being used as a source of natural pigment for industrial applications, including cosmetics. Cosmetic products such as lipsticks, nail polishes, hair dyes, soaps, body washes, face washes, creams, and lotions utilize various colored compounds of chemical origin and may pose adverse effects on their unregulated or overuse. Bacterial pigments can be an alternate and sustainable option to replace these chemical moieties in these cosmetic products. Bacteria from diverse habitats with a broad scale of colors such as carotenoids, prodigiosin, melanin, violaceins, quinones, and indigoidines have been reported for their beneficial properties such as color, antioxidant, emulsifying, antiaging, and UV protection. These pigments have multiple shades and also possess nutritional and therapeutic properties. Although most of the information in this field is based on primary research at a laboratory scale and very limited attempts have been made to improve these bacterial strains and processes for enhanced pigment production, it highlights a significant scope for research and innovations in this field. The integration of advanced genetic and metabolic engineering technology such as CRISPR/Cas, along with the utilization of artificial intelligence and machine learning-based methods, can transform this field and boost pigment production. Therefore, the current review article aims to provide a state-of-the-art overview of bacterial pigments with the potential for application in cosmetic products. Moreover, it also highlights the existing challenges and outlines future research directions.

Screening organic peroxide explosives (OPEs) such as hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD), methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP), and triacetone triperoxide (TATP) from ambient interferents (e.g. household H2O2, perfume, and nail polish remover) at the security heightened areas has been a significant challenge for the security authorities worldwide. The present research aims to overcome this challenge for the first time by integrating a UV LED based micro-photoreactor with an in-house developed stabilising reagent to screen the OPEs from household H2O2. Since OPEs along with H2O2 upon their exposure to UV radiation spontaneously generate peroxy moieties and radicals, the aqueous stabilising reagent, composed of dimethyl sulfoxide (100mM), sodium thiosulfate (100μM), and cobalt chloride (10μM), was developed to effectively stabilise these peroxy moieties. We confirmed this stabilising phenomenon by investigating GC-MS profile of OPE samples with/without activating the micro-photoreactor, revealing controlled stabilisation of photodegradation products from MEKP and significant stabilisation of those from HMTD and TATP. Notably, we observed how the swabs of OPEs from skin surfaces, when immersed in the screening reagent prior to their transfer via the active micro-photoreactor (driven with radiometrically optimised parameters e.g., 800KHz, 3.3V, and 0.13 Amp), enabled flow injection analysis-chemiluminescence (FIA-CL) signals remarkably distinguishable from that of H2O2 within 10s. We present a novel screening mechanism of OPEs from household products using in-house developed and radiometrically characterised UVLED based portable micro-photoreactors as well as stabilising reagent to stabilise the photodegradation of OPEs. This study affords selective and ultra-trace level of screening of HMTD (0.12μM, n=3, RSD 6%), MEKP (0.08μM, n=3, RSD 6%) and TATP (0.16μM, n=3, RSD 7%) from H2O2, highlighting its potential for real-world explosive screening applications in security heightened settings in a rapid, safe, and effective manner.

Spurious SpO₂ readings—arising from motion artifacts, environmental interference, or device variability—remain a major limitation in wearable pulse oximetry, potentially triggering false alarms or missing hypoxemia during outpatient monitoring. Conventional devices often lack real-time mechanisms to detect and mitigate such errors, with previous reports indicating measurement biases of 11.2 - 24.5% across different models, underscoring the need for improved accuracy and user guidance. To address this gap, we present the design of an IoT-enabled wearable pulse oximeter with real-time user feedback, delivered through a mobile application. The system integrates a pulse oximetry and heart rate sensor (MAX30100) with a carbon monoxide gas sensor (MQ-7) and provides targeted notifications to guide corrective actions such as repositioning the probe, removing nail polish, or moving to fresh air. Validation involved controlled scenario testing (undetected SpO₂, CO >40 ppm, nail polish, loose contact) and user trials with 15 healthy volunteers from varied academic backgrounds. The prototype demonstrated high accuracy, with low relative errors—0.92% (HR), 0.93% (SpO₂), and 0.015% (CO)—and strong usability, achieving 93.3% compliance with corrective prompts, an average response time of 4.0±0.7 seconds, and a satisfaction score of 4.3/5. Compared with commercial oximeters, the proposed system improved reliability by reducing measurement errors by at least 87% through real-time corrective feedback. Future work will focus on energy-efficient power management and large-scale community-based trials to further validate performance across diverse patient populations.

Ginevra was examined at age 14 for neurological and inflammatory symptoms (paresthesia, muscle weakness and xerostomia). The clinical picture remained unclear until the discovery of severe onychodystrophy, which had been hidden for years by nail polish. This key clinical sign, combined with telomere analysis, led to the correct diagnosis of Dyskeratosis congenita.

AimThe present study aimed to evaluate and compare the sealing ability of Biodentine, zirconia reinforced glass ionomer cement (GIC), and Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) as furcation repair materials.Materials and methodsA total of 50 extracted permanent maxillary molars were collected and divided into three experimental groups and one control group. Group I – Biodentine (n = 15), Group II – zirconia reinforced GIC (n = 15), Group III – MTA Angelus (n = 15), and unrepaired, control group (n = 5). Crowns of teeth in experimental groups were sectioned 3 mm above the cementoenamel junction and roots 3 mm below the furcation. Standardised endodontic access openings were prepared, canal orifices and root ends were sealed with sticky wax. After coating with nail varnish, a 1 mm furcation perforation was created at a standardised location using a round carbide bur. Samples were flushed, dried, and incubated at 37°C for 24 h to simulate clinical conditions. All samples were subjected to orthograde and retrograde methylene blue dye challenge followed by dye extraction with a concentration of 65% nitric acid. Samples were then analysed using 550 ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometers.Statistical analysisThe results were analysed statistically by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s multiple comparison tests.ResultNo statistically significant difference in sealing ability was observed between Biodentine, zirconia reinforced GIC, and MTA when used as a furcation perforation repair material.ConclusionWithin the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that Biodentine, zirconia reinforced GIC, and MTA showed sealing ability comparable to each other.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from nail products pose potential health risks to technicians and clients. The present study investigates the exposure of nail technicians to VOC and assesses the effectiveness of dilution ventilation in mitigating these exposures. A test chamber was configured to simulate a nail salon environment, where three common activities were performed: applying nail polish, removing nail extensions, and nail extension application. A MultiRae Lite gas meter was used to monitor VOC concentrations in the technicians’ breathing zones and the ambient environment under both non-ventilated and dilution-ventilated conditions. The average VOC concentrations in the technicians’ breathing zones were measured at 8.3 (± 8.576) ppm, 116.2 (± 120.04) ppm, and 29.73 (± 7.876) ppm during nail polish application, nail extension removal, and nail extension application, respectively (n = 30 measured over 15 min). For the same activities, the average ambient VOC concentrations in the non-ventilated chamber were 25.03 (± 13.006) ppm, 192.17 (± 114.900) ppm, and 40.90 (± 30.891) ppm. These concentrations were significantly lowered by dilution ventilation to 0.93 (± 0.179) ppm, 12.6 (± 5.21) ppm, and 2.63 (± 0.812) ppm. For all three activities, a t-test verified a statistically significant drop in VOC concentration with dilution ventilation (p < 0.001). Additionally, the study discovered that VOC emissions could be reduced by over 65% at an air change rate (ACH) of 10 per hour. The results indicate that dilution ventilation can significantly decrease VOC exposure; nonetheless, the study concludes that it is insufficient as the sole control strategy in nail salons because concentrations failed to reach the limit levels, even at the highest tested ACH (100 ACH). This research provides a new scientific perspective on ventilation as a means of controlling occupational exposure to VOC in nail salons.