While published studies quantifying toxic exposure in nail salons are relatively few in number, the chemicals discussed above, toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, acetone, ethanol and acrylic dusts and vapors have all been detected by air monitoring in salons. The levels have generally been found to be much lower than the existing exposure standards for each chemical. While these standards, such as the Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs), are considered “safe” from aregulatory standpoint, they have serious limitations in protecting health. These standards were created in the 1960’s for industrial settings with an intent to protect against severe acute exposures. The OSHA PELs do not take into consideration the effects of a combination of multiple chemicals, orthe long term chronic effects of exposure on end points such as asthma, canceror reproductive harm. In addition, these limits are restricted to inhalation exposure and do not account for absorption through the skin, which is apotential route of exposure for nail salon workers.
By Alexandra Gorman and Philip O’Connor: Women’s Voices for the Earth, February 2007
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