When the Department of the Environment began looking at demographics related to nail salons in San Francisco they realized that of the 250 salons and 2,400 technicians in the area, the large majority of this group were multilingual (the primary language being Vietnamese) women of childbearing age. Due to the health concerns being raised by organizations such as the California Healthy Salon Collaborative, they wanted to create a program modeled after one developed by the Collaborative to help create safer working conditions for nail technicians. From technicians and nail salon owners to advocacy groups, researchers, scientists and manufacturers, there were many stakeholders involved in this effort.

On February 7, 2012 San Francisco adopted regulations for the Healthy Salon Recognition Program. Details for the program, including recognition criteria and the four-step recognition process, can be found at http://www.sfenvironment.org/article/worker-health/healthy-nail-salon-recognition-program

According to Melanie Nutter, Director of the San Francisco Department of the Environment,“The Healthy Nail Salon program exemplifies our department’s mission to create and implement innovative programs that promote social equity, protect human health, and lead the way toward a sustainable future. This program is the first of its kind in the nation and aims to improve the health and wellbeing of nail salon technicians by rewarding salons. We look forward to working with other cities and counties to share our model and advocate for the health of nail salon technicians.”

“Ideally we would like all salons to participate,” says Swati Sharma, Commercial Toxics Reduction Coordinator for the San Francisco Department of the Environment. “Out of the 250 salons in San Francisco we currently have 24 registered Healthy Salons, eight have completed our program and 55-60 technicians have been trained. We are hoping more salons will register and recognize that this is a different approach to their business that could improve their health, and not an economic burden.”

While there are other programs in the country providing outreach and education related to health issues, San Francisco’s is the first recognition program, and currently the only program that provides rebates for ventilation units. Due to the attention to the program, other counties outside of the Bay Area are expressing interest.

Fundamentally, the program is about improving health issues by getting salons to choose safer products, use protective equipment, and improve ventilation. A public awareness campaign is part of the effort to support the Healthy Nail Salon program – making consumers aware of Healthy Nail Salons, what they are, and why to make them a preferred choice for nail services.

“The public will drive this,” says Sharma.

The San Francisco Department of the Environment is investing in salon outreach in order to encourage more participation. From going door-to-door and mailing postcards to bringing the information to community centers and partnering with organizations and advocacy groups, the word is spreading.

Don’t be fooled by Formaldyhde free products!  These products still contain chemicals that are harmful.

Protect your breathing zone and prolong your health -use the Salon Pure Air Chemical Fume Extraction System.

Most artificial nail products, and the activities involved in applying them, create vapors, dust, and even bacteria. These pollutants can cause irritation of the nose, throat, eyes, or skin and cause headaches, dizziness, and other systemic effects as a result of chemical absorption into the bloodstream.

In order to minimize the harmful effects of these pollutants, it is important to capture the dust and fumes from the point of generation, otherwise known as source capture ventilation. This method removes contaminants before they come into contact with people. It is not about selecting a system that suits the size of your salon; you need a system that isolates and captures contaminants at the source.

Guidelines for choosing a portable Fume Extraction System:

1) Make sure the system offers multi-stage filtration including:

> An appropriate multi-density media filter for dust

> An adsorption module with several pounds of high-quality activated carbon for acrylic and other fumes

> A third stage media filter for additional contaminant removal

2) Configure the system so air passes through the filter media and adsorption module before it reaches the blower.

To ensure safety make sure the blower itself is UL and CE listed.

3) An appropriate source-capture system should offer a variety of methods for capturing the dust and fumes.

Each of these methods should draw the dust and fumes downward or sideways, away from individual’s breathing zones or skin. A good system should:

> Offer a self-supporting, adjustable extractor arm option without internal supports to obstruct airflow

> Be able to be connected to tables with existing cutouts and under-table enclosures

> Offer a table-top hood enclosure

> Offer additional source-capture options to suit the operator’s needs

4) Beware of ionizing air cleaners.

In addition to poor performance, they expose the user to potentially harmful ozone levels. Research warnings published by Consumer Reports and Consumers’ Union.

5) Avoid purchase decisions based solely on size, appearance or price.

Many manufacturers of “portable air purifiers” make false claims. Use common sense. If a system can fit on top of your manicure table, chances are it will lack the proper filter area and airflow.

Air Impurities Removal Systems, Inc., has been aware of the potential significant health risks inherent in the beauty industry for the past decade. In order to help you keep your salon air clean, we introduced the Salon Pure Air™ brand of source capture, multi-stage fume extraction systems in early 2002. Since that time, our Salon Pure Air systems have risen above all other systems on the market.

Visit the CDC website and read the NIOSH reports to see how our systems stack up to the competition. Source capture air purification is important to us, and we want you to have access to the latest reports and information on this topic. Learn more about keeping your salon air clean.

CDC – Nail Technicians’ Health and Workplace Exposure Control – NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/manicure/

Solvents, glues, and other chemicals ingested daily by salon workers are impacting the health and well being of these professionals. While they are exposed on a regular basis, patrons also are affected by limited exposure. In order to create a better environment, salon owners must start to consider improvements such as increasing ventilation, developing better chemical storage and disposal standards, and implementing safer work practices.

When it comes to improving ventilation, Salon Pure Air offers products that directly support the nail technician’s work experience. Products such as the Exact-All system capture air contaminants directly at the source and safely remove them before clean air is released into the room.

Budget is a concern for any business, however, integrating a system that improves the quality of the air in your salon can provide a valuable return on investment including:

• Reduced healthcare costs for technicians
• Reduced PTO and Sick Leave
• Increased employee satisfaction
• Improved atmosphere for customers
• Longevity in the workplace
• A marketable business decision and branding opportunity

For approximately $750/station (with discounts available for the purchase of multiple units) a salon owner can dramatically improve working conditions and support a healthy work environment. Owners concerned with the upfront cost of incorporating this type of system will quickly see a valuable return in energy savings compared to installing a product that connects to the HVAC system and re-circulates the unclean air.

From an aesthetic and functional aspect, the systems offer options. For those less concerned with budget and more concerned with the overall aesthetic, units can be custom designed and built into the technician tables.  Business owners who don’t want to incur the extra costs of this custom design may choose a portable system that can be shared between technicians. The system occupies 10 – 12 inches of space and can be plugged in and ready to go. This is a significant savings of time and money in comparison to the cost and hassle of working with the landlord to install a unit compatible with the HVAC system. The goal is to remove the dust, particles and fumes at the source. Working with the HVAC system allows particles to linger in the air. Systems such as the Salon Pure Air^TM work most effectively within 6-inches of the technician’s hands, thus eliminating pollutants right at the source.

Testimonial

Debbie Wensman has been in the nail industry for over 22 years. She owned and operated a nail salon for 20 years and has been an industry educator for 17 years.

“I had been doing nails for quite some time when I noticed that I was constantly stuffed up and sneezing as well as having short-term memory problems. I started trying to find ways to draw fumes and dust away from me while I was working. I was introduced to Salon Pure Air^TM at a trade show in Sacramento. I immediately purchased a Salon Pure Air^TM system and had it fit into a custom-made table. Within three weeks I noticed improvements with my health, my husband did too. I even purchased a second unit for my booth rental space. My salon had a more pleasant odor and my customers recognized the difference. Smelling the coffee rather than the acrylic is a huge compliment. It was the best investment for my health.”

While existing codes and legislation vary, many do not currently require these systems to be in place. However, awareness is growing and there is potential for action. The concern for long-term effects due to frequent exposure to the dust and chemicals associated with nail salons is increasing. Government agencies and activist groups are researching the impact of the environment as well as the effects of the solvents and chemicals being used in these environments. Further research will reveal the individual and collective impact of these chemicals and others on the salon environment and technicians.

“Every state has different code restrictions,” describes Wensman. “Some states require outside ventilation, but you really need to capture the dust and fumes at the source. The Salon Pure Air system could help these states challenge that issue. A lot of people don’t know there is a system you can attach to your table versus purchasing ionizers and ‘room air purifiers’ that really don’t work.”

Making a commitment to improve the work environment speaks volumes to employees and also provides a marketable opportunity to the public. By increasing consumer awareness of this issue and advertising how your salon maintains clean air practices, you will set yourself apart.

In a society that is supporting farmer’s markets and organic foods, buying local, driving hybrid cars, applying mineral based and natural beauty products, recycling, practicing holistic medicine and a list of other healthy and environmentally friendly behaviors, doesn’t it make sense to give them a new option in nail care? Nail salons are in the business of making people look and feel good, isn’t it time to give technicians and customers clean air to breathe in the process?

- Donna Bowie,
Donna’s Nail Resort, Santa Barbara, California

- Jamie Randa,
Nail Tech and Educator, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

- Carrie Lupul,
Nails on 40th, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

- Christine Brunner,
Creative Grand Master Nail Tech, Wild Horse Salon, Steamboat Springs, Colorado

- Shelly Keeney,
Holdenville, Oklahoma