Nail Salon Research Articles

Evaluating Occupational Workforce and Practices in New York Metropolitan Nail Salons.

This study investigated workforce characteristics, work practices, protective measures, and health symptoms among nail salon workers in New York and New Jersey following the implementation of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) regulations in New York. An online survey conducted from 2022 to 2023 targeted registered nail salons and manicurists in both states (N = 146). The majority of respondents were Asian, primarily Korean (52.1%) and Chinese (26%). In New York, 79% of salons had a mechanical ventilation system, including LEV, while in New Jersey, where no ventilation regulation exists, only 52% of nail salons had mechanical ventilation systems. A substantial proportion of manicurists reported health-related concerns (40.5%) and symptoms related to chemical exposure (67.6%). The study emphasizes the need for continuous and improved illness prevention strategies, including the use of safer products, comprehensive health and safety training, and effective ventilation practices, to better protect nail salon workers.

Organophosphate ester exposure in nail salons: Health implications for workers

Organophosphates esters (OPEs) have become a preferred alternative in nail polish as plasticizers due to health concerns over previously used additives like dibutyl phthalate. However, the true extent of nail technicians' exposure to OPEs is largely unknown. This study shows that nail salon workers are significant exposed to OPEs, with varied concentrations found in air, dust, masks, and urine. The total concentrations of 11 OPEs in ultrasonic personal air samplers (UPAS) ranged from 251 to 1007 ng/m³, and in air conditioner filter dust from 371 to 14473 ng/g. Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) was the most abundant compound found in the nail polishes used in these salons. On average, the concentrations of TPHP and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) in workers' urine after work were 5.2 and 1.8 times higher than those before work, respectively. Two nail salons that had the highest nail polish usage also had very high concentrations of TPHP in surgical masks, dust, and UPAS. TPHP concentrations in workers’ urine after work were 19 and 13 times those before work, respectively, in these two salons. Human internal exposure assessment showed that the average exposure dose of TPHP after work was 1.8 times higher than that before work. On average, use of masks reduced OPEs in urine by 77%. In conclusion, frequent mask replacement is highly recommended, especially in long working circumstances. Without regular replacement, masks may accumulate OPEs from the air, potentially becoming another source of human exposure to OPEs. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the occupational exposure of nail salon workers to OPEs, particularly considering that most practitioners in this industry are young women of reproductive age.

Occupational exposure of nail technicians to industrial chemicals: A pilot study

Previous studies have observed the use of complex industrial chemicals in beauty products. However, occupational exposure of beauty practitioners to various chemicals has not been sufficiently assessed. Our study recruited 37 female nail technicians from 28 nail salons in South China and investigated the abundances and profiles of more than 60 industrial chemicals or their metabolites in indoor dust, hand wipes, and urine of nail technicians. Thirty female college students were also recruited for comparison. The results revealed broad exposure of nail technicians to 42 target chemicals or their metabolites, with mono-phthalate esters (mono-PAEs) exhibiting the highest concentrations (median 284 ng/mL), followed by parabens (median 57.9 ng/mL) and antioxidants (median 19.6 ng/mL) in urine. The urinary concentrations of mono-PAEs, parabens, triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban of nail technicians were significantly higher than those of college students. Pre-shift and post-shift urine did not exhibit significant differences for most chemicals, likely reflecting continuous and long-term exposure. Hand wipe levels of TCS and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylpheno were significantly associated with urinary levels of these chemicals or their metabolites, while such a pattern was not observed between dust and urinary levels. This highlights the influence of dermal contact or hand-to-mouth transfer on the intake of these chemicals. Collectively, our pilot study demonstrates the occupational exposure of nail technicians to industrial chemicals in beauty products and calls for vigilant self-protection measures to mitigate exposure risks in beauty practitioners.

Assessing the health risks of dermal exposure to heavy metals dust among nail salon technicians.

Nail salon technicians are susceptible to potential exposure to a diverse array of hazardous chemicals in the form of dust or vapors. One of the main routes of exposure is dermal contact. The aim of present study was to health risk assessment of dermal exposure to dust containing heavy metals in nail salon technicians. Dust sampling was done on the work surface of 20 available nail salon technicians. The concentration of five metals including cadmium, lead, chromium, nickel, and manganese were determined using ICP-MS. Afterwards, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) guideline was used to estimate the potential health risks, including carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks, associated with the analyzed metals. Results indicated the mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr and Mn were 0.7953±0.4373, 0.0952±0.0264, 0.7666±0.8629, 0.4900±0.5994 and 1.134±0.4736, respectively. The hazard quotient (HQ) of all metals was within the permissible value, while hazard index (HI) was greater than 1. The probability of cancer risk (CR) resulting from dermal exposure to Ni, Cd and Cr exceeded the acceptable risk levels (10-6-10-4), but CR calculated for Pb was less than allowable value. Implementation of engineering controls such as downdraft vented nail tables and portable source capture systems is necessary. Besides, the use of personal protective equipment such as disposable nitrile gloves, N95 respirator masks, and ensuring proper training on safe work practices is recommended.

Suicide by Ethyl Methacrylate Ingestion.

This case report characterizes a unique way in which suicide was accomplished through ingestion of chemicals typically used to create acrylic fingernails that resulted in death. Ethyl methacrylate and acrylic powder are commonly combined to form acrylic nails in nail salons. The process of applying acrylic nails utilizes each substance by mixing both before it typically solidifies within seconds of combining the two compounds. Ingestion of these compounds has not been previously described within the medical literature. The decedent was a nail technician at a local salon. He was found unresponsive in his yard which led to a 911 call. At the scene, a mostly empty 16-oz bottle of ethyl methacrylate, a chemical used at the salon where he worked, was found. At autopsy, the decedent's body had a strong chemical odor consistent with odors present at nail salons. Significant gastrointestinal tract damage was seen including discoloration within the esophagus, and the stomach contained a molded, hardened nail compound. The cause of death was ruled as complications of nail acrylic powder and liquid ethyl methacrylate ingestion. This case shows the unusual findings seen at autopsy from a decedent who committed suicide by ingestion of ethyl methacrylate with acrylic powder.

Occurrence of Microplastics in the Atmosphere: An Overview on Sources, Analytical Challenges, and Human Health Effects

The rapid spread and accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in environmental ecosystems result from extensive plastic usage. MPs have been found in both indoor and outdoor air. Outdoor MP levels vary widely across global cities, with reported ranges from 36 to 118 MPs m−2 day−1. However, differing measurement units complicate comparisons. Indoor MPs are particularly concerning due to the significant amount of time people spend indoors. For instance, MP concentrations in workplaces like reception areas and nail salons were found to be 309 ± 214 and 46 ± 55 MPs m−3, respectively. Technological limitations hinder the identification of MPs, with methods like µ-ATR-FTIR, µ-FTIR, and µ-Raman identifying MPs of different sizes. MPs smaller than 0.3 µm pose a health risk as they can be internalized in lung cells, while MPs larger than 10 µm are too large to enter alveolar macrophages. This review highlights the current understanding of airborne MPs, focusing on their sources, transport, and deposition mechanisms. It aims to provide a foundation for further studies to deeply assess the presence, abundance, and occurrence of MPs in aerosols, a subject that remains underexplored.

Characterizing the role of the nail salon and nail salon worker on the ethnic identity development of Michigan nail salon workers’ second-generation Vietnamese American children

ObjectiveSecond-generation Vietnamese individuals are a prominent group in the U.S. with unique experiences, such as their parents’ heavy involvement in the nail salon industry, which shapes their identity. Yet, the experiences of Vietnamese American children who are exposed to the industry through their parents’ occupation and its impact on their ethnic identity has not been explored. This study of second-generation Vietnamese Americans with nail salon worker parents in Michigan aims to address this gap and understand the resulting effects of this biculturalism on ethnic identity development. MethodsThis qualitative study utilized interpretive phenomenology to capture the essence of second-generation Vietnamese Americans’ lived experiences. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. ResultsTwenty-four individuals participated in the interviews and three major themes emerged with respective subthemes. Theme 1 focused on second-generation child and immigrant child responsibilities, as it relates to their parents’ occupation. Theme 2 focused on top-of-the-mind reactions to nail salons. Theme 3 focused on ethnic identity development while growing up in Michigan. ConclusionsThis study on the lived experiences of second-generation Vietnamese Americans with parents in the nail salon industry in Michigan has implications for better understanding the influence of racialized or migrant-based U.S. economies on ethnic identity development.

네일 관리 행동과 문제성 네일에 대한 인식 연구

This study aimed to explore perceptions of nail care practices and problematic nails among adult men and women, as well as to assess nail salons' understanding of these issues based on their experiences. To achieve this, a questionnaire survey was conducted with a total of 230 adults in their 20-60s. After excluding poorly answered surveys, data on 210 subjects were utilized for the final analysis. The results revealed the following findings: When it comes to nail shape preference, both men and women showed a preference for rounded nails. Regarding nail length, the preferred length was ‘1mm’. However, many respondents admitted to cutting their toenails short, which often results in ingrown nails. In terms of troublesome nails, ‘ingrown nail’ was common. When asked if they had sought nail care for such nail issues from a nail care specialist before, approximately 10% responded ‘Yes’. When asked where they had received nail care treatment for such issues, ‘hospital’ was the most common response, followed by ‘nail salon’. This suggests that when experiencing such symptoms, individuals typically seek treatment at a hospital first before considering a nail salon. Once they have received nail care from a nail care specialist, they become aware that nail salons also offer such services. Additionally they expressed positive sentiments about receiving nail care at a nail salon based on their experiences. Therefore, it is essential to raise awareness about the availability of specialized nail care services for troublesome nails offered by nail salons, which could contribute to the growth of the nail care industry. It is anticipated that further studies will be conducted on training programs for troublesome nail care.

Fragrance chemicals in nail salons: Personal inhalation exposures and potential sources

The indoor air of nail salons is full of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), many of which have fragrances. Little is known about the fragrance chemicals in nail salons, as fragrance ingredients are not required on nail product labels and are considered trade secrets. This study aimed to identify fragrance chemicals and their potential sources and exposures in nail salons. Indoor air samples were collected in seven nail salons in the Greater Boston Area between November 2016 and June 2017. Personal samples were also collected from ten nail salon workers during their work shifts. Follow-up area sampling was performed in two salons one year after the initial visits. All air samples were collected using thermal desorption (TD) tubes and analyzed on a TD-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) system targeting 55 fragrance chemicals. Eighteen compounds were detected in air samples, including terpenes, alcohols, carbonyls, ethers, and esters. The concentrations displayed limited spatial variation within a salon but moderate variation over time. The highest median personal inhalation concentrations were benzaldehyde (36.4 μg/m3), 2-ethylhexanol (30.0 μg/m3), d-limonene (16.6 μg/m3), and 2-butoxyethanol (12.6 μg/m3). Highest personal levels were reached by maximum concentrations of 2-butoxyethanol (<1611 μg/m3)), d-limonene (<413 μg/m3), and methyl salicylate (<113.5 μg/m3). Personal concentrations of most compounds were highly correlated with area concentrations (Spearman correlations = 0.69−0.92). Fragrance concentrations from area and personal air samples did not correlate significantly with the ventilation rate. Cleaning agents, personal care products, and nail products were identified as important possible emission sources. This study reveals a subset of fragrance chemicals in nail salons’ indoor air and calls for future research on a full spectrum of these chemicals, their health effects among nail salon workers, and ways to reduce these exposures.

Nail salon dust reveals alarmingly high photoinitiator levels: Assessing occupational risks

Photoinitiators (PIs) are chemical additives that generate active substances, such as free radicals to initiate photopolymerization. Traditionally, polymerization has been considered a green technique that seldomly generates contaminants. However, many researches have confirmed toxicity effects of PIs, such as carcinogenicity, cytotoxicity, endocrine disrupting effects. Surprisingly, we found high levels of PIs in indoor dust. Our analysis revealed comparable levels of PIs in dust from printing shops (geometric mean, GM: 1.33 ×103 ng/g) and control environments (GM: 874 ng/g), underscoring the widespread presence of PIs across various settings. Alarmingly, in dust samples from nail salons, PIs were detected at total concentrations ranging from 610 to 1.04 × 107 ng/g (GM: 1.87 ×105 ng/g), significantly exceeding those in the control environments (GM: 1.43 ×103 ng/g). Nail salon workers' occupational exposure to PIs through dust ingestion was estimated at 4.86 ng/kg body weight/day. Additionally, an in vitro simulated digestion test suggested that between 10 % and 42 % of PIs present in ingested dust could become bioaccessible to humans. This is the first study to report on PIs in the specific environments of nail salons and printing shops. This study highlights the urgent need for public awareness regarding the potential health risks posed by PIs to occupational workers, marking an important step towards our understanding of environmental pollution caused by PIs.

109 Evaluation of chemical exposures and exposure mitigation strategies for nail salons

109 Evaluation of chemical exposures and exposure mitigation strategies for nail salons

An Online Training Module to Increase Knowledge and Awareness of Chemical Exposures and Safety Measures Among Nail Salon Workers.

We developed an online training module targeting nail salon workers' knowledge of chemical exposure and safety, responding directly to the workers' expressed needs in a Midwest State. Following a needs assessment, we designed and developed the module content. Implementation and evaluation approaches were rolled out into three phases. Seven workers completed the English version of the module, and 24 workers completed the Vietnamese version. The average pretest scores for those who completed the English and Vietnamese versions of the training were 81.43% and 58.33%, respectively. The average posttest score was 98.57% for English and 91.67% for Vietnamese. Culturally appropriate educational resources are effective facets of enhancing nail salon workers' awareness and their occupational health subsequently.

Adverse effects of nail cosmetics and how to prevent them

Nail cosmetics are being used world over for nail enhancement, and their list is an ever expanding one. However, due to their widespread usage, there are an increasing number of adverse effects also being reported. These have been reported both in the users as well as service providers (nail salon workers/technicians). Adverse effects to nail cosmetics usually present to dermatologists, who need to be equipped to suspect, diagnose, and manage them. A whole range of newer nail cosmetic products are available now, which can lead to a variety of adverse reactions. These may be early and hence easy to temporally correlate with cosmetic usage; or have a delayed onset making it difficult to correlate with the nail cosmetic used. Varying presentations include onycholysis, infections, allergic dermatitis, psoriasiform nail changes, and systemic adverse effects. The range of clinical manifestations, prevention, and management of nail cosmetic-related adverse effects are detailed in this review.

Inhalation exposure to toxic heavy metals in nail salon technicians and health risk assessment using Monte Carlo simulation

Objective Nail salons offer a developing and diverse occupation for many women, especially the new generation. Due to the increasing apprehension surrounding heavy metals in dust caused by filing nails containing dried nail polish, the present study was designed aimed to health risk assessment of heavy metals in breathing zone of nail salon technicians (NSTs). Methods This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted in NSTs. The concentration of Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr) and Manganese (Mn)in breathing zone of 20 NSTs was determined using ICP-OES. Results The metal concentrations were in the following order: Mn > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cd with corresponding arithmetic mean values of0.008, 0.0023, 0.0021, 0.001 and 0.0006 mg m−3, respectively, which are exceeded the recommended levels stated in the indoor air guidelines. The average lifetime carcinogenic risk (LCR) for Cr, Cd, Ni and Pb was calculated 0.0084, 0.00054, 0.00026 and 1.44 E − 05, respectively. The LCR values of all metals (except Pb) exceeded the acceptable level set by the USEPA. The mean of Hazard quotients (HQ) for Mn, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb were calculated to be23.7, 4.74, 2.19, 0.51 and 0.0.24, respectively. The sensitivity analysis showed that, the exposure frequency (EF) for Cr and Ni had the strong effects on generation of both LCR and HQ. Furthermore, the concentrations of Mn, Cd and Pb had strong impacts on the HQ generation and the concentration of Cd and Pb had main effects on LCR generation. Conclusion To effectively reduce pollutant concentration, it is recommended to install a ventilation system near nail salon work tables and conduct continuous monitoring and quality control of nail products.

Analysis of Gender Usage Characteristics of Korean Medical Nail Care

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the treatment usage characteristics of consumers in Korea who use medical nail care, which is a noninvasive combined treatment.Methods: The study examined three symptoms, namely, onychomycosis, ingrown toenails, and pincer toenails in a group of 500 people in December 2022. A survey was conducted, and data were analyzed by gender.Results: In terms of the type of problem toenails, onychomycosis was higher in men, and women displayed high rates of pincer toenail. Current toenail conditions exhibited slightly negative response rates for men and women. Moreover, men tend to prefer hospitals, and women perform self-care to manage these issues. The usage rate of general nail salons was higher for women than that for men. The reasons for opting to use medical nail care demonstrated high response rates of improvement in problem for men and women. For procedures, the usage rate of laser or medication for treating onychomycosis was higher for men, whereas that of the resin gel procedure for ingrown and pincer toenail was higher for women. The monthly expenditure cost was less than 100,000 won for men and women, and the period of effect did not significantly differ across two and three months for both groups.Conclusion: The findings of this study have implications for understanding consumers with problematic toenails and rethinking the medical nail care system.

네일숍 마케팅 7Ps요인이 구매의도 및 구매결정에 미치는 영향

This study investigates the influence of a nail salon’s 7Ps marketing factors on purchase intention and decision. The data for the study was collected from May 5 to May 12 of 2023, and the subjects were 200 women in their 20s to 50s living in Seoul. The detailed findings were as follows. First, the influence of a nail salon’s 7Ps marketing factors on purchase intentions was found to be significant, and the employees, products, place, and processes were the critical factors. Second, the influence of a nail salon’s 7Ps marketing factors on purchase decision was also found significant, and the crucial factors included products, physical evidence, employees, and place. Third, the influence of purchase intention on the purchase decision in nail salons was found to be significant, which indicates that purchase intention is an essential factor in the purchase decision in nail salons. Therefore, the employee’s expertise and friendliness are important factors in the 7Ps marketing factors for better customer satisfaction and higher revenue in nail salons, and continuous effort is required in customer service, technical training, and researching the latest trend for various designs and products. As such, nail salons should be equipped with the competitiveness that differentiates them from their competitors and do their best to improve customer service and satisfaction.

역핀칭하드젤 관리가 내성발톱 개선에 미치는 효과

This study attempted to broaden the scope of foot care fields including ingrown toenail care with professionalism. For this, the concept of an ingrown toenail and ways to take care of the problem were examined. Then, this study investigated changes in toenail width, angle and pain after ingrown toenail care, using reverse pinching hard gel, one of ingrown toenail care techniques. It is anticipated that the study results would be available as basic data needed to take care of various nail conditions such as ingrown toenails in nail salons.&#x0D; For this, an experiment was performed against 4 testees who were suffering from a ‘C’-shaped ingrown toenail on both big toes from August to October, 2022, using reverse pinching hard gel. The treatment was given to a right big toe once over 2 months and to a left foot twice for the same period. Then, changes in toenail width, angle and pain were examined before and after the treatment, and the results found the followings:&#x0D; First, concerning subjects’ general characteristics about toe and toenail care, all four testees said that they stand for 5-8 hours or longer a day. With regard to hereditary aspects, they responded that all their family members but only one person are suffering from an ingrown toenail. In other words, even though ingrown toenails can be influenced by working or daily life conditions, they are considerably genetic. Second, reverse pinching hard gel broadened the width and angle of ingrown toenails despite just one-time treatment. When the treatment was given twice, the width and angle of the problematic toenails were further widened, compared to the results of the one-time treatment. Third, in terms of the degree of pain after the reverse pinching hard gel treatment, it was ‘8’ in average before the treatment. It dropped to ‘1’ right after the treatment. When it was given twice, the score was ‘0’, meaning ‘no pain’. When the gel was removed after the treatment was given once and twice, there was no pain (‘0’).

Assessing occupational exposure of airborne PMs and TVOCs in the nail salons in Tehran city, Iran

There are concerns about the health of nail salon technicians due to the inherently harmful agents such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and released particles in the salons. For this reason, this study was conducted to investigate the occupational exposure of nail salon technicians to VOCs and particulate matters (PMs) in the nail salons in Tehran, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, indoor air quality and measurement continually Total VOCs and PMs in the various size of PM1-PM10 using PhoCheck Tiger and particle counter device investigated, respectively. site observation, and an interview with the manager in 49 salons in Tehran. Data was analyzed using SPSS software (version 22). Mean concentrations of PM1 with 2.56 μɡ/m3 was the lowest amount and PM10 with 346.86μɡ/m3 had the highest concentration. Also, the mean concentration of TVOCs was equal 2.61 ppm. The results of the regression model showed that there is a statistically significant between the number of services with airborne PMs (PM2.5), (p-Value≤0.050). In salons only with nail activities, the concentration of PM4 was less than the others, although this correlation was statistically significant just for PM1 (p-Value = 0.010). By implementing effective local exhaust ventilation systems equipped with dust collectors and utilizing safe products, the emission of particles and chemical compounds within salons can be significantly reduced.

2023 Hope Babette Tang Humanism in Healthcare Essay Contest: First-Place Medical Student Essay: The Nail Salon.

2023 Hope Babette Tang Humanism in Healthcare Essay Contest: First-Place Medical Student Essay: The Nail Salon.

Digital storytelling intervention to promote HPV vaccination among at-risk Asian immigrant populations: Pilot intervention study.

The high morbidity, mortality, and economic burden attributed to cancer-causing HPV call for researchers to address this public health concern through human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Despite disparities in HPV-associated cancers in Korean and Vietnamese Americans (KAs, VAs) their vaccination rates remain low. Evidence points to the importance of developing culturally and linguistically congruent interventions to improve HPV vaccination rates. Digital storytelling (DST; a specific form of cultural narrative) shows promise as an effective culture-centric health promotion strategy. Study aims were to assess the preliminary effects of an innovative remotely delivered culturally and linguistically congruent DST intervention consisting of stories of personal lived experiences on KA and VA mothers' attitudes and intention in vaccinating their children against HPV. We also examined if the association between attitudes and intention differed by child's sex (boy vs. girl) and by ethnicity (KA vs. KA). Participants were recruited from via multiple outlets (e.g., ethnic minority community organizations, social media, flyers posted in local Asian supermarkets and nail salons). Valid and reliable measures were administered online to collect data pre- and post-intervention. Statistical analysis including descriptive statistics, paired and independent sample t-tests, chi-square, and McNemar's test were used to describe the distributions of variables and to examine differences between subgroups and changes in key variables over time. We estimated logistic regression models to examine associations between mother's HPV- and vaccine-related attitudes and vaccination intention, and to explore if the association between attitudes and vaccination intention differed by the target child's sex or ethnicity. In our sample of 50 KA mothers (mean age = 42.8 years; SD = 4.8) and 114 VA mothers (mean age = 41.5 years; SD = 5.4), 36% of KA and 51% of VA mothers reported children receiving free or reduced-price lunch at school. Mother's attitudes toward HPV and the vaccine (t [163] = 2.49, P = .014) and intention to vaccinate their children improved significantly (2 1 = 18.38, P < .001). The measure of mother's positive attitudes toward HPV and the vaccine was significantly associated with the higher vaccination intention (OR = 0.246, p < .001), adjusting for background variables (sociodemographic characteristics) and other HPV-related variables (family cancer history, prior HPV education, HPV communication with healthcare providers). Findings did not suggest that child's sex or ethnicity moderated association between attitudes and vaccination intention. This brief intervention using digital stories was feasible and showed preliminary effects on promoting KA and VA mothers' intention to vaccinate their children against HPV.