Additional studies have been conductedthat document nail technicians’ selfreported health effects in nail salons. An unpublished survey of Vietnamese nail technicians in Boston found considerable awareness that their occupation was affecting their health. A majority of those surveyed responded that there were odors at work that make them feel bad, and they identified these odors as associated with acrylic nailglues. Survey respondents also reported experiencing work-related headaches,skin problems, and respiratory problems. Many of the technicians reported that these symptoms improved when they were away from work for a day or two. None of the respondents, however, reported that their employers had provided any information about health hazards of nail salon work. An analysis of calls to a California occupational hazard hotline demonstrated that nail salon workers are concerned about the impacts of their work on their health, particularly as it relates to effects on pregnancy. The analysis foundthat manicurists and cosmetologists were the third largest occupational sector to make pregnancy-related inquiries to the hotline. The chemical most often asked about by manicurists were acrylates (acrylic nail glues). The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum reports that Asian-American nail workers often feel powerless to change their work environments, and resistant to reporting the situation to occupational health authorities. Many Asian-American nail workers report that they simply quit their jobs when they get pregnant to avoid health impacts from exposure. An analysis of calls to a California occupationa lhazard hotline demonstrated that nail salon workers arec oncerned about the impacts of their work to their health particularly as it relates to effects on pregnancy….manicurists and cosmetologists were the third largest occupational sector to make pregnancy-related inquiries to the hotline.
By Alexandra Gorman and Philip O’Connor: Women’s Voices for the Earth, February 2007
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