Assessing indoor air quality in New York City nail salons

Nail salons are an important business and employment sector for recent immigrants offering popular services to a diverse range of customers across the United States. However, due to the nature of nail products and services, salon air can be burdened with a mix of low levels of hazardous airborne contaminants. Surveys of nail technicians have commonly found increased work-related symptoms, such as headaches and respiratory irritation, that are consistent with indoor air quality problems. In an effort to improve indoor air quality in nail salons, the state of New York recently promulgated regulations to require increased outdoor air and “source capture” of contaminants. Existing indoor air quality in New York State salons is unknown. In advance of the full implementation of the rules by 2021, we sought to establish reliable and usable baseline indoor air quality metrics to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of the requirement. In this pilot study, we measured total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations in 10 nail salons located in New York City to assess temporal and spatial trends. Within salon contaminant variation was generally minimal, indicating a well-mixed room and similar general exposure despite the task being performed. TVOC and CO₂ concentrations were strongly positively correlated (ρ = 0.81; p < 0.01) suggesting that CO₂ measurements could potentially be used to provide an initial determination of acceptable indoor air quality for the purposes of compliance with the standard. An almost tenfold increase in TVOC concentration was observed when the American National Standards Institute/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ANSI/ASHRAE) target CO₂ concentration of 850 ppm was exceeded compared to when this target was met.     

Exposure to hazardous air pollutants in underground car parks in Guangzhou,China

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), and PM₁₀ were studied by field sampling in six underground car parks beneath multi-level buildings in Guangzhou, China. CO and PM₁₀ in the car parks range from 3.0 to 69.0 ppm and 0.087 to 0.698 mg m^?3, with mean concentrations of 10.8 ppm and 0.228 mg m^?3, respectively. Overall mean concentrations of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, and xylene (BTEX) are 90.5, 54.8, 239.9, 47.7, and 189.3 μg m^?3, respectively. Indoor air pollutants in the car parks show an obvious seasonal variation and are higher in winter than in summer. The total estimated cancer risks of occupational exposure for car park staff and casual exposure for parking users are 3.73 × 10^?4 and 5.60 × 10^?6, indicating definite and possible risks, respectively. The hazard quotient of target VOCs is 4.33, implying a definite risk for people using underground car parks. Indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios for MTBE and BTEX are significantly higher than one, reflecting strong emission sources in underground car parks. The BTEX to MTBE ratios in the car parks are almost the same as those in tunnel air, indicating that indoor aromatic hydrocarbons were mainly from engine emissions and gasoline evaporation. With increasing urbanization in China, more attention should be paid to the exposure of staff and users to hazardous air pollutants in underground car parks.     

Toxicity of saline and organic solvent extracts of sediments from Boston Harbor,Massachusetts and the Hudson River-Raritan Bay estuary,New York using the Microtox® bioassay

The toxic effects of organic and saline extracts of sediment samples collected from 16 sites in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts and from 17 sites in the Hudson River-Raritan Bay estuary, New York were tested with the Microtox^® bioassay. This bioassay measures changes in light production by bioluminescent marine bacteria exposed to sediment extracts. Organic solvent extracts of all 33 sediments showed some degree of toxicity, with sediment samples from sites in the urban areas of the bays being significantly more toxic than those from less urbanized areas of the bays. Saline extracts, however, were less toxic, only seven of 33 saline extracts produced a significant response using the recommended method of data analyses. The proportional decrease in bacterial light production at the highest concentration of saline sediment extract in the reaction mixture compared to the bacterial light production in the controls (saline light change—SLC) appeared to be a better indicator of sediment toxicity than generating a saline EC₅₀ (the amount of sediment required to reduce bioluminescence 50%) value; 16 of 33 saline extracts produced a significant response (?10% reduction in bioluminescence). Organic extracts of sediments previously extracted with saline were also always toxic in the Microtox^® bioassay but were less toxic than sediments not previously extracted. Organic EC₅₀ and SLC were inversely related to concentrations of sediment contaminants, principally low- and high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This relationship was strongest for the organic solvent extracts of sediments tested in the bioassay. Organic solvent extracts of sediments from Boston Harbor were also significantly more toxic in the Microtox^® bioassay than those from the Hudson-Raritan estuary, even though sediment concentrations of PAHs, a measure of anthropogenic contamination, were similar. The cause for the differential toxicity is unknown at this time, but chemical contaminants other than chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHs) and PAHs may be contributing to the observed toxicity in the Microtox^® bioassay using organic extracts of sediment. Testing sediment toxicity using organic extracts of sediment with the Microtox^® bioassay provides better estimates of toxicity due to sediment contaminants than using saline extracts of sediments.     

Monitoring Water Pollution Levels in Wadi Hanifa,Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and its Public Health Implications

This study was performed to evaluate the levels of metals in the fish caught from Wadi Hanifa’s main basin over four seasons, determine the potential fitness of the fish for human consumption, and evaluate the overall water quality after enforcement of local standards. The physical and chemical parameters from a total of 192 water samples were tested using standard methods. Additionally, a total of 48 fish samples were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations. Mean values for basic water quality parameters of COD, PO₄ ^?3, NH₃ ^?-N, and NO₃ ^?-N exceeded Saudi standards in all seasons. Mean metal concentrations in water were consistently at their highest concentrations in samples collected during the summer, and the lowest in samples collected during the winter. Mean metal concentrations in fish muscle tissue exceeded Saudi standards for As and Cd, and United Nations FAO standards for Cr, Ni, Zn, Fe and Mn. Statistical analysis showed highly significant positive correlations between metal concentrations in water and metal concentrations in fish muscle for As–Fe, Pb–Cr, Pb–Ni, Cr–Cu, and Cu–Fe. This study highlights the urgent need for monitoring and controlling wastewater discharge in Wadi Hanifa to ensure public safety.     

Case study of occupational mercury exposure during decontamination of turnaround in refinery plant

Decontamination during turnaround (TA) can lead to high exposure to toxic chemicals among workers. The decontamination process in refinery plants usually comprises two types, i.e. steam and chemical decontamination. No matter the method used, concentrations of toxic chemicals must be measured using the direct reading instrument at the end of each decontamination cycle, which maybe repeated several times until the readings are in acceptable level. To evaluate mercury exposure of decontamination workers during decontamination procedure in comprehensive turnaround of a refinery plant. Thirty personal and 16 area air samples were collected using passive dosimeters and absorbent tubes, respectively, during 8 days of the decontamination in comprehensive turnaround. All samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Good practices and standard procedures for air sampling and analysis were performed. The TWA concentrations were calculated and compared between steam and chemical decontamination workers. All area samples were well below TLV (ND – 0.0016 mg/m³) while 5 of 14 samples collected at the steam team and 1 of 16 samples taken from the chemical team exceeded the TLV. The geometric mean (GSD) of TWA concentration of the steam team was 0.0057(10.4906) mg/m³, which is about twice as high as that of the chemical team, 0.0031(6.9422) mg/m³. The highest mercury concentration, 0.1037 mg/m³, was collected from a steam decontamination worker. According to the activities and observation, the steam team may have high exposure while reading the chemical concentrations at the end of the decontamination cycle.     

Source Apportionment of Volatile Organic Compounds in Tehran, Iran

Identifying the sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is key issue to reducing ground-level ozone and PAN. A multivariate receptor model (Unmix) was used for the determination of the contributions of VOCs sources in Tehran-Iran. Concentrations of ambient C₂–C₁₀ VOCs were measured continuously and online at the center of Tehran city during the winter of 2012. A high correlation coefficient existed between measured and predicted values (R ² = 0.99), indicating that the data were well modeled. Five possible VOCs source categories were identified and mobile sources such as vehicle exhaust (61 %) and fuel evaporation (12 %) more than half of the total VOC concentration. City gas and CNG sources, biogenic source, and industrial solvent source categories accounted for 17 %, 8 % and 2 % of the total VOC, respectively. Result showed Unmix for VOCs source apportionment can be used to analyze and generate air pollution control strategies and policies.     

Indoor Air Quality Survey of Nail Salons in Boston

Employees in nail salons, largely Vietnamese immigrant women in Boston, are exposed to a range of volatile organic chemicals from the products used in salons, including solvents, glues and polishes. Some of these chemicals have the potential to cause short and long-term adverse health effects. Only limited research has been performed on assessing occupational exposures. This project aimed to characterize total volatile organic compound (TVOC) and PM_2.5 concentrations in nail salons as a function of ventilation, building characteristics, customer and employee occupancy, and type of services being performed. Students conducted sampling in 21 salons in Boston, MA from September to December, 2011. Study visits included: indoor environmental quality measurements (TVOCs, PM_2.5 and carbon dioxide), site observations, and an interview. CO₂ levels in 15 of 21 salons exceeded 800 ppm, suggesting that these salons may have insufficient ventilation. Higher TVOC and PM_2.5 levels were found in salons with less ventilation (as estimated using CO₂ concentrations). Contrary to our a priori hypothesis, average levels of TVOCs, CO₂ and PM_2.5 were consistent throughout salons, indicating that exposures may not be restricted to areas in the salon where work is being performed (e.g., at the manicure table). Higher TVOC concentrations were observed when tasks were being performed, yet were not dependent upon the number of tasks being performed. Improving ventilation conditions in salons to meet minimum outdoor air delivery requirements can reduce exposures to TVOCs.     

Characteristics of PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> and its chemical constituents in Beijing,Seoul, and Nagasaki

Ambient fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) samples were collected from September 2013 to May 2015 in three cities in East Asian countries (Beijing, China; Seoul, South Korea; and Nagasaki, Japan) in order to analyze the spatiotemporal trends of PM_2.5 chemical constituents including organic matter (OM), elemental carbon (EC), water-soluble inorganic ions (NO₃^?, SO₄^2?, and NH₄⁺), and trace elements. The average PM_2.5 mass concentration were 125?±?6.80 μg m^?3, 44.6?±?0.84 μg m^?3, and 17.4?±?0.37 μg m^?3 in Beijing, Seoul, and Nagasaki, respectively. Higher carbonaceous concentrations were observed during winter in Beijing and Seoul, while higher concentrations were found during spring in Nagasaki. The highest seasonal averages of organic carbon (OC) to EC ratios were found during spring in Beijing, winter in Seoul, and fall in Nagasaki. The concentrations of secondary OC and its ratio to OC were high during fall and winter. For ion species, NO₃^? was dominant in Beijing and Seoul, while SO₄^2? was dominant in Nagasaki. Increased contributions of mobile sources in Beijing and Seoul were observed, with higher NO₃^?/SO₄^2? ratios than those in Nagasaki. Three groups of air masses were found for the three cities using cluster analyses based on 72-h backward trajectories. The cluster from the Bohai economic zone had the highest concentration of PM_2.5 for Beijing. For Seoul, a cluster that originated from the Yellow Sea near an industrial area in Liaoning Province and passed through a highly polluted industrial area in southwestern Seoul had high PM_2.5 concentrations. A long-range transported cluster that originated in and crossed through heavily industrialized areas in China and South Korea for Nagasaki had higher ion species concentrations. The results of this study are useful to identify the current levels of PM_2.5 and its chemical properties to establish a control plan for PM_2.5 for Northeast Asia, including China, South Korea, and Japan.     

BTEX Emissions from the Largest Landfill in Operation in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

The emission rates and the ambient air concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylenes (BTEX) were measured over the intermediate cover layer and atmosphere of the Seropédica landfill, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. BTEX were sampled using coconut shell charcoal cartridges, followed by extraction with dichloromethane and analysis by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Thirteen samples were collected in areas with and without cracks in the cover layer, and six samples were collected from the ambient air. The average emission rates were 11.7, 492.2, 153.7, 67.2, and 21.7 µg m^??2 day^??1, respectively, for benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, m?+?p-xylenes and o-xylene. No benzene concentrations above the detection limit were observed in ambient air samples. The average concentrations of toluene, ethyl benzene, m?+?p-xylenes and o-xylene in ambient air samples were 2.14, 1.35, 0.49 and 0.08 µg m^??3, respectively. Higher emissions were found in locations containing larger cracks during the collection.     

Traffic-related Occupational Exposures to PM2.5, CO,and VOCs in Trujillo,Peru

Abstract

A traffic-related exposure study was conducted among 58 workers (drivers, vendors, traffic police, and gas station attendants) and 10 office workers as controls in Trujillo, Peru, in July 2002. PM_2.5 was collected, carbon monoxide (CO) was measured, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were sampled and analyzed. Newspaper vendors had the highest full-shift CO exposures (mean ± SD: 11.4 ± 8.9 ppm), while office workers had the lowest (2.0 ± 1.7 ppm). Bus drivers had the highest full-shift PM_2.5 exposures (161±8.9 pg/m³), while gas station attendants (64 ± 26.5 pg/m³) and office workers (65 ± 8.5 μg/m³) were the lowest. Full-shift benzene/toluene/ethylbenzene/xylene exposures (BTEX) among gas station attendants (111/254/43/214 μg/m³) were much higher than those among van and taxi drivers. Several of the traffic-related occupational exposures studied were elevated and are of occupational health concern.     

Exposure assessment of non-electric ice resurfacer operators in indoor ice rinks: a pilot study

Exposure of ice resurfacer operators to indoor air contaminants was measured in six indoor ice arenas. A standardized questionnaire on technical and operational features was employed and indoor airborne concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured. Air samples were collected using a range of direct reading instruments attached to the driver’s seat of the resurfacer. The range of mean exposure concentrations via positional sampling (i.e. as close as able to the operator’s breathing zone) were 5.7–7.4 ppm, 694–2171 ppm, <0.5 to 0.5 ppm, and < 0.1 to 0.2 ppm, for CO, CO₂, NO, and NO₂, respectively. Exposure levels for SO₂ and VOC were below detection. Overall, each of the measured indoor air contaminants was found to be below its respective occupational exposure limits (OEL), suggesting that the risk of hazardous exposure is low. The use of natural gas as a fuel source is believed to contribute to low contaminant concentrations.     

Levels and Seasonal Variations of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in the Urban Atmosphere of Beijing, China

Year-round air samples were collected at Beijing on a weekly basis from 2009 to 2010, to determine the levels, gas-particle distribution, seasonal variations and compositional profiles of 8 polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners. The annual mean atmospheric concentrations of ∑₇PBDEs and BDE-209 were 6.16 pg/m³(N.D–23.6 pg/m³) and 164 pg/m³ (30.7–454 pg/m³), respectively. The results showed wide consumption of industrial products containing commercial deca-BDE mixtures in Beijing. The seasonal variations showed that lower brominated congeners had higher levels and greater proportions in the gaseous phase at warm sampling periods than the higher brominated counterparts.     

Main ozone-forming VOCs in the city of Sao Paulo: observations,modelling and impacts

High-ozone concentrations currently represent the main air pollution problem in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. To elucidate the main volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which act as ozone precursors, samples from air quality monitoring stations were evaluated. Thirty-five samples were collected in August–September of 2006 and 43 in July–August of 2008, when the consumption of ethanol was about 50 % of the total fuel used in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area. Samples were collected using electropolished stainless canisters. Chemical analyses were performed on pre-concentrated samples followed by gas chromatograph with flame ionization and mass spectrometry detection. The incremental reactivity scale was used to rank the ozone precursors using the Ozone Isopleth Package for Research (OZIPR) trajectory model coupled with chemical mechanism Statewide Air Pollution Research Center (SAPRC). Sixty-nine species of VOCs were quantified, and the ten main ozone precursors identified in 2008 were as follows: formaldehyde (42.8 %), acetaldehyde (13.9 %), ethene (12.2 %), propene (5.1 %), 1-methylcyclopentene (3.0 %), p-xylene (2.4 %), 1-butene (2.1 %), trans-2-pentene (1.9 %), 2-methyl 2-butene (1.7 %) and trans-2-butene (1.6 %). Volatile organic compound mass distribution showed that in 2008 alkanes represented 46 % of the total VOCs, alkenes 27 %, aromatics 14 %, alkadienes 1 % and aldehydes 12 %.     

Evaluating an owner‐to‐worker training intervention in California nail salons using personal air monitoring

Background

Chemicals in nail products have been linked to numerous health concerns.

Methods

We recruited Vietnamese‐American nail salon owners and workers in California and randomized salons into an intervention or control group. Owners in the intervention group received training and then provided education to workers in their salons on best practices to reduce workplace chemical exposures. Methyl methacrylate (MMA), toluene, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) were measured using personal air monitors worn by workers during the work‐shift.

Results

We enrolled 77 salons (37 intervention and 40 control) and 200 workers. There was no significant intervention effect between the two groups. However, MMA and TVOCs were higher for workers who used gel polish and acrylic nails as well as in busy salons.

Conclusions

Although the intervention did not show reductions in chemical levels, identifying worker tasks and salon characteristics that predict chemical levels can inform future interventions to reduce exposures.

     

Occurrence of Synthetic Musks in Indoor Dust from China and Implications for Human Exposure

Synthetic musk compounds are used in a wide range of personal care and other consumer products. Despite this fact, few studies have reported the occurrence of synthetic musks in house dust or exposure of humans through the ingestion of indoor dust. In the present study, we determined the concentrations and profiles of two polycyclic musks (PCMs; Galaxolide^® [HHCB] and Tonalide^®), three nitro musks (NMs; musk ketone [MK], musk moskene [MM], and musk xylene [MX]), and one metabolite of HHCB (HHCB-lactone), in 88 indoor-dust samples from homes, dormitories, offices, and laboratories in China. In addition, we analyzed 12 dust samples collected from inside the housings of electrical/electronic devices that were located in 10 of the houses. Synthetic musks were detected in all of the dust samples analyzed, with total concentrations (sum of PCM and NM concentrations) varying from 4.42 to 688 ng g^?1 (mean ± SD: 126 ± 16.2 ng g^?1; median: 82.7 ng g^?1). HHCB was the predominant compound in all of the dust samples analyzed accounting on average for 42.2% of the total musk concentrations. Concentrations of synthetic musks in dust samples from homes and offices were higher than the concentrations found in samples from dormitories and laboratories. Concentrations of synthetic musks in dust samples increased with the increasing number of occupants in homes. Based on the concentrations, levels of exposure to musks by way of dust ingestion were calculated to be up to 25.8 ng d^?1 for adults and 138 ng d^?1 for toddlers.     

Applicability of two mobile analysers for mercury in urine in small-scale gold mining areas

Mercury is still used in developing countries to extract gold from the ore in small-scale gold mining areas. This is a major health hazard for people living in mining areas. The concentration of mercury in urine was analysed in different mining areas in Zimbabwe, Indonesia and Tanzania. First the urine samples were analysed by CV-AAS (cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry) during the field projects with a mobile mercury analyser (Lumex^® or Seefelder^®) and secondly, in a laboratory with a stationary CV-AAS mercury analyser (PerkinElmer^®). Caused by the different systems (reduction agent either SnCl₂ (Lumex^® or Seefelder^®)) or NaBH₄ (PerkinElmer^®), with the mobile analysers only the inorganic mercury was obtained and with the stationary system the total mercury concentration was measured. The aims of the study were whether the results obtained in field with the mobile equipments can be compared with the stationary reference method in the laboratory and allow the application of these mobile analysers in screening studies on concerned populations to select those, who are exposed to critical mercury levels. Overall, the concentrations obtained with the two mobile systems were approximately 25% lower than determined with the stationary system. Nevertheless, both mobile systems seem to be very useful for screening of volunteers in field. Moreover, regional staff may be trained on such analysers to perform screening tests by themselves.     

Size distribution and seasonal variation of size-segregated particulate matter in the ambient air of Raipur city, India

In this study, size-segregated particulate matter samples were collected in Raipur, India from July 2009 to June 2010 by using eight-stage cascade impactor sampler. The annual average concentrations and associated standard deviation of PM₁₀, PM_2.5–10, PM_2.5, and PM₁ were 270.5?±?105.5, 119.6?±?44.6, 150.9?±?78.6, and 72.5?±?39.0 μg/m³, respectively. The PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 levels at Raipur, India were well above the annual National Ambient Air Quality Standards of India of 60 and 40 μg/m³ for PM₁₀ and PM_2.5, respectively. Particulate matter concentrations in winter were higher than those in summer and monsoon. Increased energy use and dry atmospheric conditions contributed to increasing particulate matter concentrations in winter, while increased rainfall precipitation contributed to decreasing particulate matter levels in the monsoon. Spearman correlation analysis between PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 revealed high correlation coefficients (r?=?0.85), implying that PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 may have the same source of regions or that they are influenced by the same local conditions. The highest monthly values of air quality index occur in winter and spring, while they are reduced in summer and monsoon. The analysis showed that 25.0% of the days was unhealthy for sensitive people, 47.4% was unhealthy or very unhealthy, while 4.1% was considered as hazardous. A comparison of the exceedance factors indicated that PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 was the most significant polluting agent, causing maximum deterioration in the ambient air quality of Raipur, India.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon patterns in the city of Rio de Janeiro

In this study, the concentrations of 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH), considered priority by US EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency), in fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), were determined in a forest reserve and in an urban area in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The PM_2.5 samples were collected in the Tijuca Forest (TF) and on the Maracanã campus of the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), using PM_2.5 high-volume air samplers, from November 2015 to April 2016. The organic matter was extracted, separated by liquid chromatography, and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The mean total PAH (excluding naphthalene, acenaphthene, and acenaphthylene) concentrations were 0.46?±?0.61 ng m^?3 and 1.12?±?0.71 ng m^?3 in PM_2.5 collected at TF and UERJ, respectively. The diagnostic ratios suggested vehicular sources for both sites with no clear distinction between light and heavy vehicular sources. Cluster and principal component analyses were also used to clarify the possible PAH sources. Simulations of air mass trajectories confirmed the transport of pollutants from the city to the forest. Mutagenicity tests revealed that the PM collected in the UERJ presented mutagenic positive activity, likely for nitro-PAH and amino-PAH, which may be related to vehicular emissions. For the TF, although the forest was impacted by the pollutants, no positive activity was detected. Correlation and cluster analyses showed different PAH distributions for the TF and UERJ sites, which indicates that the TF receives the air masses from the city but is also impacted by local emissions.     

The Use of Dimercaprol (BAL) in the Treatment of Cadmium Oxide Fume Poisoning

Perchloroethylene exposure in 28 dry-cleaning establishments and in 25 homes occupied by dry cleaners in Modena, Italy, was investigated. Environmental air samples and alveolar air samples from dry cleaners (n = 60) and from their family members (n = 23) were collected. The degree of perchloroethylene on the dry-cleaning premises varied widely from establishment to establishment. Spot sampling ranged from 0.6 to 75 mg/m³, whereas sampling by personal passive dosimeters ranged from 2.6 to 221.5 mg/m³ (8-h time weighted average values). Perchloroethylene in alveolar air samples collected at the end of the work day correlated closely with the 8-h time weighted average values (r = .750, p = .001), and correlated also with alveolar air samples collected at home in the evening (r = .665, p = .001) and the following morning (r = .549, p < .001). Perchloroethylene levels inside the homes of dry cleaners appeared significantly higher than in 29 houses selected as controls (Mann Whitney U test, p < .001). Perchloroethylene in alveolar air samples collected at home suggests that nonoccupational exposure to perchloroethylene for family members of dry cleaners exists.     

Assessment of Occupational Symptoms and Chemical Exposures for Nail Salon Technicians in Daegu City,Korea

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate occupational symptoms and chemical exposures of nail salon technicians.

Methods

Work-related symptoms of nail salon technicians in Daegu City were surveyed using a researcher-administered questionnaire, and responses were compared to those of non-exposed office workers as controls. Personal exposure level of airborne volatile organic compounds was also monitored using passive samplers.

Results

A total of 159 subjects in 120 salons were interviewed. Average work-shift concentrations of 13 chemicals were measured for 50 workers from 30 salons using personal passive samplers. The most frequently reported respiratory or neurologic symptoms by nail shop technicians compared to controls were nose irritation (odds ratio [OR], 54.0; confidence interval [CI], 21.6 to 134.8), followed by headache (OR, 9.3; CI, 4.7 to 18), and throat irritation (OR, 4.3; CI, 2.2 to 8.5). For eyes and skin, 92% of respondents complained eye irritation (OR, 13.1; CI, 5.7 to 30.1). In musculoskeletal symptoms, workers reported pain or discomfort in shoulders (OR, 20.3; CI, 7.7 to 54) and neck (OR, 19.7; CI, 8.9 to 43.6). From personal measurements, the proportion of exceeding the Korean Occupational Exposure Limit was the highest for acetone with 64%, followed by toluene (50%), butyl acetate (46%), and methyl methacrylate (12%). However, the service was being provided without a proper ventilation system in most surveyed shops.

Conclusions

Based on these findings, it is warranted to have appropriate local exhaust ventilation place to ensure adequate health protection of nail shop technicians as well as customers. At the same time, greater policy interests are warranted in nail care business to protect health of both workers and customers.