Thinking about indulging in a warm stone pedicure and French manicure sometime soon? How about treating your hands to a heated wax (paraffin) manicure, paired with a chocolate pedicure? Well think twice, for although these new spring colors would look extremely adorable (and sexy), splurging on this treat could be toxic!
The Boston Public Health Commission Safe Nail Salons Project’s mission is to protect fellow Bostonians and nail salon employees from exposure to air pollution and dangerous chemicals in nail salons. Basically, researchers have determined that nail salon technicians are exposed to hazardous chemicals everyday. The Safe Nail Salon Project’s goal is to: “prevent or reduce disproportionate environmental and occupational health effects from the industry on workers and clients, as well as the surrounding neighborhoods.” Let’s hope so, because we all know girls can’t survive without our manis and pedis!
The JBS Environmental Health and Justice Program has conducted a study where they worked with 21 participating nail salons in Boston from September through December 2011. The results were toxic and health threatening: literally.
JBS Environmental Health and Justice Program introduced this concerning topic, and addressed the simple fact that nail salon employees are exposed to potential harming chemicals every day. This exposure can also have the capability of impacting reproductive health and pregnancies in women. Scary stuff, huh? While I don’t want to discourage you from getting your nails done, you should definitely be a more conscious consumer to protect your own health.
Nail technicians have it even worse – they are in these places every single day. A study in the American Journal of Public Health showed that women in contact with these chemicals have heightened health risks (Thu Ouach 2011): “One-third of the women reported health problems like headaches, irritations, nausea, and breathing problems since they started working at a nail salon. Nose, throat, lungs, skin, eye irritations were the most common complaints by the participants.”
There were three factors tested throughout the study, which each salon had to endure, including: observations of salon activities and air quality measurements, along with a short questionnaire. In their findings, they concluded: “Carbon Dioxide levels in 15 of 21 salons exceeded 800 ppm indicating these salons may have insufficient ventilation” (JBS). It was also disturbing to learn that 86% of the studied salons were above the PM 2.5 (fine particulate matter) concentration found in the average household.
Salons that kept fresh air ventilation (their doors and/or windows open) had drastically reduced the TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compound) concentrations. Keeping doors and windows open in salons could be a possible resolution to reducing toxic exposure. Fresh air ventilation is the key recommendation that was stressed during the experimental conclusions.
Recommendations for home: Don’t ever dismiss the idea of grabbing all of your girls and planning an all day spa event.
- Be sure you have lots of fresh air in your room. Open doors, and if possible, windows!
- When it comes to nail colors, according to Bazaar Magazine, the best 2012 Nail Trends consist of a mellow palette. So bag all of those tacky neons, and fill up your make-up bag with soft pastels, including this season’s choice of corals, luscious reds, light yellows, and nudes.
When you do venture out for a mani or pedi, here are some additional tips for you recommended by The Safe Salon Project:
- Do not shave or wax your legs within 24 hours of getting a pedicure.
- Be sure your manicurist is using clean single use tools (pumice stones/flip flops/toe separators) that haven’t been used on anyone else.
- Make sure that reusable (metal/non-porous) tools have been disinfected before they are used on you.
- Avoid polishes that contain the ‘Toxic Trio’ of formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate.
- Find out what is in your favorite brands of nail polish with the SkinDeep cosmetics database.
- Report concerns about Boston nail salons to the Boston Public Health Commission at 617-534-5965.
- Help protect Vietnamese community who run these salons in the Boston area. Recommend that your salon participate in free Safe Nail Salon trainings (offered only in Boston).
- Support the Safe Cosmetics Act by sending your state representative a letter via online. It takes two seconds, I promise!
Ladies…NEVER underestimate the power of a fresh coat of nail polish; your hands and feet should always, and I mean always, look sexy.