http://www.care2.com/greenliving/is-the-air-in-nail-salons-dangerous.html
Is the Air in Nail Salons Dangerous?
Q: Is it dangerous to breath the air in a nail salon?
A: The products used in nail salons usually contain solvents and other chemicals that may have adverse health effects on workers and customers. Many nail salon products contain solvents, which can release volatile organic compounds (VOC) and some toxic air pollutants. People who are exposed to these toxic air pollutants at sufficient concentrations, for sufficient durations, may increase their chances of getting cancer or experiencing other serious health effects, such as reproductive problems, birth defects, and aggravated asthma.
Make certain that the salon is adequately ventilated, and if you spend many hours in the setting and are sufficiently concerned, ask your aesthetician to provide you with a mask. Many salon workers use these mask, so every salon should have a supply on hand.
Dr. Brent Ridge is the health expert for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. You can call and ask him a question live every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 112 (1.866.675.6675). You can also follow along as he learns to grow his own food, raise goats, and make goat milk soap on his farm in upstate New York by visiting www.beekman1802.com.
related stories
-
(6 comments)
-
brent
(13 comments)
-
(7 comments)
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
7 comments
add your comment »thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Those places need to be removed to an open tent! Just standing outside the door{I don't dare enter}of a nail salon is enough for me to become ill. My skin gets flushed and hot,little spots start to appear and then my breathing becomes impaired.....awful! And for what, the sake of vanity?we poison ourselves.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
This article shows just how backwards we are as a country, educationally. A medical doctor authoritatively telling people to use a paper dust mask to protect against VOCs? Anyone with a decent science-based education would know that that makes about as much as sense as using a sieve to transport water. It's unbelievable the outright bad information that passes for journalism these days.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Please, I agree with Kathleen K. below, there is NO WAY that those paper masks protect anyone from toxic VOC's in the air. My partner was a Painting and Decorating Contractor and used a respirator because of prolonged exposure to VOC's. NO responsible regulatory authority in the country recognizes paper masks for anything but particulate dust protection. There isn't even a body of evidence that shows that the masks prevent germs from entering the airways - spittle? yes.
If you work in a nail salon, a respirator with carbon filtration will protect you - and you might like the darth vader look as well... You can always put those stick on jewels on to dress the respirator up!
Otherwise, brave the terrible air for an hour or have a friend do your nails using Aquarella, Watercolors or Safe Nail Polish brand polish all of which are greener and feature no or low-VOC.
Long Live Fresh Toe and Finger Art!!!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
The masks are used for dust particles during filing and do nothing for the VOCs. A good salon will be properly ventilated and a client should always be welcome to ask for a mask during filing. It is also important to note that because there is no odor that does not mean there are no pollutants in the air. This applies to any setting you are in.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Another note, if you rub garlic oil onto the bottom of your feet or you palms, before you know it your breath will smell like it. These two areas are the places of our skin that absorb the most and the quickest. It's one of the best ways to get stuff into your body without going through your liver. Do you really want that stuff near your hands?
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Why use products with these dangerous solvents and other VOCs at all? If it requires a mask and ventilation to just be there in the salon, why have these products on you 24/7?
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: