Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #109474

Richard A. Rabin, Division of Occupational Safety, Massachusetts, 1001 Watertown St., Newton, MA 02465, 6179697177, rick.rabin@state.ma.us and Cora Roelofs, ScD, Department of Work Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 1 University Ave., Lowell, MA 01854.

Nail technicians - often recent immigrants with limited English-language skills - and salon customers, are potentially at risk from exposure to chemicals that can cause nervous system, reproductive and skin damage, respiratory illness and cancer. The public health community's response to these hazards, complaints about salon odors, and reports of work-related illnesses (such as asthma), has been frustrated by limited applicable regulations and lack of knowledge about effective interventions.

Many governmental agencies have jurisdiction over different aspects of nail salon operations. State governments have regulatory bodies, such as boards of cosmetology, that license and inspect salons, usually with an emphasis on customer health. Other state-level public health agencies have produced educational materials and provided consultations. Local boards of health respond to odor complaints from both neighboring businesses and salon customers, and local building inspectors assure a salon's compliance with the state building code. Nail salons are required to comply with federal OSHA standards, but due in part to their small size, OSHA rarely conducts inspections in salons. In addition, rarely do chemical exposures in salons exceed the (outdated) OSHA exposure limits. The FDA has very limited authority to regulate cosmetics. Universities, community groups and labor organizations also have attempted to improve salon health and safety.

Based on interviews with representatives from local, state, and federal public health authorities and community and labor groups, we will discuss the current reality and ideas for an improved public health response to salon hazards through regulation, toxics use reduction, training and worker/community organizing.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will acquire knowledge of public health and enforcement activities to protect nail salon workers.
• Participants will be able to evaluate current and suggested means of improving the work-related health of nail salon workers.
• Participants will be able to list at least 3 strategies for improving the nail salon work environment.

Keywords: Asian Americans, Occupational Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation