About Salon Workers

“You can’t imagine how many chemicals are being used by workers in nail salons everyday. We do not have enough knowledge about the health hazards of the products we are using.”
— Connie Nguyen, a California cosmetologist who has suffered respiratory problems since she started working in beauty salons nearly 15 years ago.

On a daily basis and often for long hours, nail salon technicians handle solvents, glues, polishes, and other nail care products, which contain a multitude of chemicals known or suspected to cause cancer, allergies, endocrine disruption, dermatological problems, respiratory illnesses, neurological and reproductive harm. Nail salon workers are particularly at risk for exposure, as they often work in poorly ventilated, small workspaces and with little, if any protective equipment. The products salon workers use are generally poorly labeled, and although product manufacturers are required to provide information about proper handling techniques and safety information through material data safety data sheets (MSDS), they often fail to do so. Because MSDS’s are generally provided only in English and are complicated in format and too technical in terminology, they are often ineffective at providing important safety information.