VOC Sources and Exposures in Nail Salons: A Pilot Study in Michigan, USA

Details

• Personal Author:
  Batterman S ; Milando CW ; Zhong L
• Description:
  Purpose: Exposures of nail salon technicians have received attention due to the potentially toxic materials used in nail products, which include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and methyl methacrylate (MMA). This study characterized area and personal concentrations and other indoor air parameters in 17 nail salons in fall and winter seasons in three areas of Michigan. Methods: VOC samples were analyzed using thermal desorption, gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy, and the VOC composition of 35 nail products (e.g., polish, top coat, base coat) was measured using headspace sampling. Ventilation rates were derived using CO2 concentrations, occupancy and building information, and VOC sources were apportioned by a novel application of chemical mass balance models. Results: We detected ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, butyl acetate, MMA, n-heptane and toluene in most salons, and benzene, d-limonene, formaldehyde, and ethyl methacrylate in some salons. While MMA was not measured in the consumer and professional products, and the use of pure MMA in salons has been not been permitted since the 1970s, MMA was found in air at concentrations from 100 to 36,000 microg/m3 in 15 of 17 salons; thus its use appears to be commonplace in the industry. Personal measurements, representing exposures to workers and clients, were about twice those of the area measurements for many VOCs. Conclusion: This study identifies the products responsible for emissions, shows the widespread presence of MMA, and documents low ventilation rates in some salons. It also demonstrates that "informal" short-term sampling approaches can evaluate chemical exposures in nail salons, providing measurements that can be used to protect a potentially susceptible and vulnerable population. Additional controls, including restrictions on the VOC compositions and improved ventilation, can reduce exposures to salon workers and clients. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Air Pollutants, Occupational Air Pollution Air Pollution, Indoor Carbon Dioxide Environmental Monitoring Formaldehyde Hazardous Substances Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety Ventilation Volatile Organic Compounds

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• Keywords:
  Air Contaminants Air Quality Measurement Air Sampling Analytical Instruments Analytical Processes Author Keywords: Occupational Health Breathing Zone Building Ventilation Carbon Dioxide Chemical Exposures Chemicals Employee Exposure Hair Salons IAQ Indoor Air Quality Methyl Methacrylate Mixed Exposures MMA Nail Technicians Occupational Exposure Toxic Materials Ventilation Systems VOCs Volatile Organic Compounds

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• ISSN:
  0340-0131
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; Michigan ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  141-153
• Volume:
  92
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20053153
• Citation:
  Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2019 Jan; 92(1):141-153
• Contact Point Address:
  Stuart A. Batterman, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1420 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
• Email:
  stuartb@umich.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  (+)-Limonene (CAS RN 5989-27-5) ; 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester (CAS RN 80-62-6) ; Benzene (CAS RN 71-43-2) ; Butyl acetate (CAS RN 123-86-4) ; Carbon dioxide (CAS RN 124-38-9) ; Ethyl acetate (CAS RN 141-78-6) ; Ethyl methacrylate (CAS RN 97-63-2) ; Formaldehyde (CAS RN 50-00-0) ; Heptane (CAS RN 142-82-5) ; Propyl acetate (CAS RN 109-60-4) ; Toluene (CAS RN 108-88-3)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2019
• Performing Organization:
  University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
• End Date:
  20280630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:9c5d72c369e0c459dba773bc2b773a26d8d38bab58b4609a853cc606def038104b01a368ab9078f74575eb3e8abb2654808e1f410c728db0b4b9b93ae33c8b76
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/215967/cdc_215967_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.69 MB ]