VOC sources and exposures in nail salons: a pilot study in Michigan, USA

Details

• Alternative Title:
  Int Arch Occup Environ Health
• Personal Author:
  Zhong, Lexuan ; Batterman, Stuart ; Milando, Chad W.
• 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 (EMA) 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 1970’s, MMA was found in air at concentrations from 100 to 36,000 μg/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.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Air Pollutants, Occupational Air Pollution, Indoor Carbon Dioxide Cosmetics Formaldehyde Humans Methylmethacrylates Occupational Exposure Pilot Projects Seasons Ventilation Volatile Organic Compounds

  More +
• Source:
  Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 92(1):141-153
• Pubmed ID:
  30276513
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC6325001
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  P30 ES017885/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/United States ; T42 OH008455/OH/NIOSH CDC HHS/United States ; T42OH008455/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health/
• Place as Subject:
  Michigan
• Volume:
  92
• Issue:
  1
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:9bd222a2da95f60a01f6e0b0323dc63a474c4e01593d2ef8d771f5186209352e
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/61834/cdc_61834_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 564.87 KB ]