A recent study by the University of Toronto in collaboration with the Parkdale Queen West Community Heath Center and the Healthy Nail Salons Network found that manicurists at discounted salons are exposed to several chemicals that are widely used as plasticizers and flame retardants.

The study will be published in the February 14 journal Environmental Science and Technologyfound that the impact of some hazardous chemicals was higher among manicure technicians than among e-waste workers.

“We were very surprised to find that the exposure to some chemicals was 30 times higher than that of nail salons compared to exposure at home, and 10 times higher than in e-waste facilities,” said Miriam Diamond. co-author and professor. at the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto.

The study reported higher exposure to several phthalate plasticizers, which was expected given the use of these chemicals in personal care products. One phthalate plasticizer, DEHP, which is not approved for use in cosmetics under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, has been found to be low. “Detecting the low impact of the DEHP plasticizer is important – it shows that the current rules for this compound work,” Diamond said.

However, it was unexpected to find some high levels of flame retardants, which are not known to be used in personal care products.

Some of the chemicals studied have some restrictions on their use (or restrictions are proposed) under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. However, most of these chemicals are not regulated precisely in Ontario workplaces. The specific source of these chemicals in nail salons was not identified in this study.

These chemicals have been linked to adverse health effects including neurological and reproductive effects, with some evidence that intrauterine exposure may be important.

“Nail artisans are concerned about the impact of their work on their bodies, including concerns about the reproductive, respiratory, skin and musculoskeletal system over the years,” said Victoria Arandale, co-author and associate professor at the University of Toronto in Dale. Lana School of Public Health.

Despite these concerns, nail artists enjoy artistry and personal care which entails their work.

“This study shows us that ours federal government we need to make sure that the products used in nail salons are safer for both customers and manicurists, ”said Wang Tran, a manicurist and outreach worker at Parkdale Queen West Public Health Center.

This study highlights the need to consider a wide range of workplace settings when adjusting chemical use in Canada. The authors of the study call on the government and manufacturers to make products safer personal hygiene products and safer places for workers and customers in the personal services sector.

The study was conducted jointly by researchers from the University of Toronto, the Center for Occupational Cancer Research, the Center for Occupational Disease Examination and the Parkdale Queen West Public Health Center. The aim of the study was to better understand the dangers of the workplace at a discount nails salons.

A recent study by the University of Toronto in collaboration with the Parkdale Queen West Community Heath Center and the Healthy Nail Salons Network found that manicurists at discounted salons are exposed to several chemicals that are widely used as plasticizers and flame retardants.

The study will be published in the February 14 journal Environmental Science and Technologyfound that the impact of some hazardous chemicals was higher among manicure technicians than among e-waste workers.

“We were very surprised to find that the exposure to some chemicals was 30 times higher than that of nail salons compared to exposure at home, and 10 times higher than in e-waste facilities,” said Miriam Diamond. co-author and professor. at the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto.

The study reported higher exposure to several phthalate plasticizers, which was expected given the use of these chemicals in personal care products. One phthalate plasticizer, DEHP, which is not approved for use in cosmetics under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, has been found to be low. “Detecting the low impact of the DEHP plasticizer is important – it shows that the current rules for this compound work,” Diamond said.

However, it was unexpected to find some high levels of flame retardants, which are not known to be used in personal care products.

Some of the chemicals studied have some restrictions on their use (or restrictions are proposed) under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. However, most of these chemicals are not regulated precisely in Ontario workplaces. The specific source of these chemicals in nail salons was not identified in this study.

These chemicals have been linked to adverse health effects including neurological and reproductive effects, with some evidence that intrauterine exposure may be important.

“Nail artisans are concerned about the impact of their work on their bodies, including concerns about the reproductive, respiratory, skin and musculoskeletal system over the years,” said Victoria Arandale, co-author and associate professor at the University of Toronto in Dale. Lana School of Public Health.

Despite these concerns, nail artists enjoy artistry and personal care which entails their work.

“This study shows us that ours federal government we need to make sure that the products used in nail salons are safer for both customers and manicurists, ”said Wang Tran, a manicurist and outreach worker at Parkdale Queen West Public Health Center.

This study highlights the need to consider a wide range of workplace settings when adjusting chemical use in Canada. The authors of the study call on the government and manufacturers to make products safer personal hygiene products and safer places for workers and customers in the personal services sector.

The study was conducted jointly by researchers from the University of Toronto, the Center for Occupational Cancer Research, the Center for Occupational Disease Examination and the Parkdale Queen West Public Health Center. The aim of the study was to better understand the dangers of the workplace at a discount nails salons.