Characterization of indoor air contaminants in a randomly selected set of commercial nail salons in Salt Lake County, Utah, USA

Int J Environ Health Res. 2013;23(5):419-33. doi: 10.1080/09603123.2012.755152. Epub 2013 Jan 4.

Abstract

Air samples were collected in 12 randomly selected commercial nail salons in Salt Lake County, Utah. Measurements of salon physical/chemical parameters (room volume, CO2 levels) were obtained. Volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations were collected using summa air canisters and sorbent media tubes for an 8-h period. Multivariate analyses were used to identify relationships between salon physical/chemical characteristics and the VOCs found in the air samples. The ACGIH(®) additive mixing formula was also applied to determine if there were potential overexposures to the combined airborne concentrations of chemicals monitored. Methyl methacrylate was detected in 58% of the establishments despite having been banned for use in nail products by the state of Utah. Formaldehyde was found above the NIOSH REL(®) (0.016 ppm) in 58% of the establishments. Given the assortment of VOCs to which nail salon workers are potentially exposed, a combination of engineering as well as personal protective equipment is recommended.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / analysis*
  • Air Pollution, Indoor / analysis*
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Female
  • Formaldehyde / analysis
  • Humans
  • Occupational Exposure*
  • Utah
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / analysis*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational
  • Volatile Organic Compounds
  • Formaldehyde