Why We Must Protect Nail Salon Workers From the Toxic Trio

by Jamie Silberberger

I admit it. I love going to the salon to get my nails done. When I sit in the nail technician’s chair and she scrubs, rubs, and clips my feet and toenails I feel pampered, relaxed and a little indulgent.  I never considered that the nail polish, remover, and other solutions the technician is using may be harmful to their health, not to mention my own.  While my exposure is minimized by the short time I spend in the salon, the nail technician is often exposed to these chemicals for long periods of time, compounded by the fact that many salons are poorly ventilated and technicians often are not provided with safety information about the chemicals they use.

I became aware of the health hazards facing salon workers when I started working at Women’s Voices for the Earth, a national environmental health organization and co-founder of the National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance. I learned that over 95% of nail technicians are women, more than half of which are women of color. The largest ethnic group represented is Vietnamese women who comprise 38% of nail salon technicians nationwide.  The average age of the majority of women in the industry is 38.  What these demographics indicate is that the majority of the workers in the industry are especially vulnerable to the reproductive impacts of chemical exposure.

This doesn’t mean that you have to give up your monthly mani/pedi. There are solutions to the problem. For one, ask the owner of the salon you patron to stock nail polishes that are free of toluene, dibutyl phthalate, and formaldehyde, commonly dubbed the “toxic-trio”.   These chemicals are often found in nail polish and have been linked to reproductive and developmental harm, cancer, and skin and eye irritation. You can find a list of polishes that do not contain the toxic-trio (3-free) on the Alliance’s website. Also, click here to sign the petition calling on nail polish manufacturers to eliminate the use of the toxic trio.

These are small steps you can take to help minimize nail salon workers exposure to toxic chemicals. On a larger scale, we need to pass federal cosmetics policy reform to ensure harmful chemicals are not allowed for use in salon and personal care products. Of the more than 12,000 chemicals used in cosmetics, only 11% have been reviewed for safety.  This presents an unacceptable risk to the public and salon workers. You can help by calling on your congressional representatives to support legislation to strengthen the safety standards for the cosmetic industry. With your help we can make salons a healthier workspace for women.

Jamie Silberberger
Jamie Silberberger is the director of programs and policy for Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE). She co-leads the National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance and serves on the national steering committee for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, co-founded by WVE in 2004.

Comments

[hair salon west Hollywood]

I can be easy to protect them. But like our hair many things can be district the damage of them.
Thanks for blog.
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[Salon In Los Angeles]

Nails are most beautiful thing of our body. we sholud be care about it.
Thanks for your blog.

[ask doctor online]

I recommend to provide your own nail tools to lessen the chance of tetanus and for personal hygiene.

[Toxic Beauty]

Very informative article. I already refuse to use any nail polish with the toxic trio....I hope more people become knowledgeable about this!