Nail Salon Respiratory Safety

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, one of the most effective ways to help prevent inhalation of dangerous fumes and particulate in a nail salon is to install local exhaust ventilation:

“Install a local exhaust ventilation system near work tables. Since the general heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems (HVACs) slowly exchange the air inside the shop, a nail salon should use a system intended to effectively capture vapors and dust or expel them from the workplace[…and] use professional quality room air cleaning devices.” [1]

Dust masks do not protect you from toxic chemical vapors.

“The most feasible way of protecting nail salon workers is to provide adequate ventilation in the salon. Providing adequate ventilation eliminates the need for respirator use.”- EPA [1]

Sentry Air Systems offers a variety of ductless air purification units that work effectively in salon settings. Our most popular units for this application are the Model 200 Floor Sentry (portable unit) and the Model 200 Sky Sentry (wall-mounted unit).

-The Sky Sentry [SS-200-SKY] (shown below) is a wall-mounted unit that is designed to free up much needed workspace. It is equipped with a semi self-supportive flex hose so that the operator can position the source capture area where it is needed the most. Appropriate filter media is selected based on your particular application.

For further information on these two units as well as other air purification units that can assist in improving respiratory safety at your salon, please call us at 800.799.4609 or email us at sales@sentryair.com.

Below is a list of potential symptoms & health effects of overexposure (“overexposure” as defined by OSHA standards) to ingredients used in nail care products (this list is from the EPA [1]).

Sentry Air Systems air purification unit’s can effectively filter all of these ingredients using the appropriate combination of filter media (for individual chemical efficiency information, please contact us):

Acetone
–Nail polish remover, fingernail glue remover (A)
Overexposure may cause headache, dizziness, irritation to skin, eyes, and throat, and central nervous system depression (1)

Benzoyl Peroxide
–Powder additive for artificial nails (A,B,E)
Overexposure may cause irritation to eyes, skin, nose, mouth, throat, and lungs, and skin rash (2)

Butyl acetate
–Nail polish (A,D,F )
Overexposure may cause irritation to eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and throat, headache, drowsiness, skin rash, confusion and/or haziness (1,2)

Butyl methacrylate
–Artificial nails (A)
Overexposure may cause irritation to eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and throat, shortness of breath, and skin rash (2)

Camphor**
–Nail polish (D)
Overexposure may cause irritation to eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, and in extreme cases of overexposure, uncontrollable muscle contractions (1,2)

Dibutyl phthalate**
–Nail polish, nail hardener (C)
Overexposure may cause irritation to eyes, stomach, and upper respiratory system. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations may be hazardous to human reproduction and development(1,2,3)

Ethyl acetate
–Nail polish (DE) fingernail glue (F)
Overexposure may cause irritation to eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and throat, skin rash, confusion and/or haziness (1,2)

Ethyl cyanoacrylate
–Fingernail glue (A,C,D,G)
Overexposure may cause irritation to eyes, mucous membranes, and skin, and skin sensitization (2,4)

Ethyl methacrylate
–Artificial nails (A,E,F,G)
Overexposure may cause irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory track, and skin sensitization(2,4)

Formalin**†
–Nail hardener (A)
Overexposure may cause irritation to eyes, nose, skin, throat and respiratory system, and wheezing. Prolonged exposure may cause asthma-like respiratory problems.5 Substance may be a carcinogen if inhaled in high concentrations or for long periods (1,2,^)

Hydroquinone**
–Artificial nails (A)
Overexposure may cause irritation and inflammation to eyes, irritation to skin, skin rash, and in more serious cases of overexposure, colored urine, nausea, dizziness, rapid breathing, muscle contraction, and central nervous system excitement (1,2)

Isobutyl methacrylate
–Artificial nails (A)
Overexposure may cause irritation to eyes, skin, nose, mouth, throat, and lungs (3)

Methacrylic acid
–Artificial nails (F,G)
Overexposure may cause irritation to eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and throat, burning of eyes and skin, shortness of breath, labored breathing, and cough (2)

4-methoxyphenol**
–Artificial nails (A)
Overexposure may cause irritation to eyes and skin, burning of eyes and skin, and central nervous system depression (1,2)

Methyl ethyl ketone
–Nail polish (D,E), nail polish remover (C), artificial nail remover
Overexposure may cause irritation to eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and throat, cough, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting, and skin rash (1,2)

Methyl methacrylate (typically not used – illegal in many states.)
–Artificial nails (A)
Overexposure may cause irritation to eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and throat, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, and skin rash (1,2)

Poly (ethyl/methyl Methacrylate)
–Powder for artificial nails (E,F,H)
Overexposure may cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and throat (by inhalation) (6)

Titanium dioxide**
–Nail polish, powder for artificial nails (A)
Overexposure may cause lung fibrosis and may be an occupational carcinogen (1)

Toluene
–Nail polish (A), fingernail glue
Overexposure may cause irritation to eyes and nose, weakness, exhaustion, confusion, inappropriate feelings of happiness, dizziness, headache, dilated pupils, runny eyes, anxiety, muscle fatigue, inability to sleep, feeling of numbness/tingling, skin rash, and in more serious cases of overexposure or intentional abuse, liver and kidney damage (1,2,‡)

Tosylamide Formaldehyde Resin (TFR Resin)
–Nail hardener(A), nail polish (I)
Overexposure may cause irritation to skin and skin rash (4)

****See cited reference for footnotes.
**Please note that it is the individual’s responsibility to use multiple safety controls in nail salons. Sentry Air Systems, Inc. provides this information as a customer service, but cannot be responsible for its accuracy or completeness. It is recommended that competent legal authorities as well as safety and hygiene professionals be consulted.

References

[1] “Protecting the Health of Nail Salon Workers.” United States Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/salon/nailsalonguide.pdf>

Nail Salons Project. EPA. http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/salon/index.htm>