Nail salon chemicals and how to protect yourself

Nail technicians work daily with chemicals most people only meet in a factory. OSHA groups the hazards in a nail salon into three: chemical, ergonomic, meaning awkward positions and repetitive motions, and biological, meaning contact with infected skin, nails or blood.

This page is about the first group, because it is the quietest one. You do not feel the damage in a day.

The chemicals OSHA names#

Formaldehyde, toluene and DBP are commonly known together as the "toxic trio".

Over a working life, OSHA lists what workers may experience: asthma and other respiratory illnesses, skin disorders such as allergic contact dermatitis, liver disease, reproductive loss, and cancer.

Ventilation is the biggest lever#

OSHA puts it directly: ventilation is the best way to lower the level of chemicals in a salon.

Concrete measures OSHA gives:

• Keep the salon's exhaust system on. Not only when the salon is busy.
• Keep the HVAC thermostat fan switch in the "on" position, not "auto". On "auto" the fan only runs while the system is heating or cooling, so for hours of the day the air in the salon barely moves.

OSHA cites NIOSH research finding that exhaust ventilation systems may reduce worker chemical exposure by at least 50%.

Gloves#

OSHA advises wearing the appropriate type of disposable gloves when handling and transferring products.

"Appropriate type" is doing real work in that sentence. Not every glove resists solvents, and a thin glove meant for another task can let solvent through.

The safety data sheet you are entitled to see#

OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard requires product manufacturers to provide salon owners with a safety data sheet (SDS) for each product, listing hazardous ingredients and health risks.

Employers must make those SDSs available to their workers, in a place near the product.

Your rights under federal law#

OSHA states that workers have the right to:

• receive workplace safety and health training in a language you understand
• receive required safety equipment, such as gloves
• be protected from toxic chemicals
• refuse to work in a situation in which you would be exposed to a hazard
• request an OSHA inspection, and speak to the inspector
• report an injury or illness, and get copies of your medical records

The right to training in a language you understand is the one worth remembering in this trade. A safety session held in English that you cannot follow does not meet it.

Complaints and retaliation#

You can file a confidential complaint with OSHA and ask them to inspect. OSHA suggests telling your employer about the problem first if you can, since many things get fixed quickly that way.

It is illegal for an employer to fire, demote, transfer or otherwise retaliate against a worker for complaining to OSHA. If you believe you were retaliated against, you have 30 days to file a whistleblower complaint.

OSHA's toll-free number is 1-800-321-6742.