Scheduled maintenance - Thursday, July 12 at 5:00 PM EDT
We expect this update to take about an hour. Access to this website will be unavailable during this time.
Nail technicians provide manicures, pedicures, and various nail treatments based on clients' nail care needs and preferences. These trained professionals perform the manicures over the workstation or “nail table” with the client's hands or feet resting on the surface as they work.
Their general tasks may include the following:
Potential health and safety hazards associated with nail technician's duties, include:
Biological hazards
Chemical hazards
Ergonomic hazards
Physical hazards
Psychosocial hazards
Safety hazards
Nail products such as polishes, strengtheners, removers, and artificial nail liquids may contain ingredients which can be harmful to your health.
Main routes of exposures to chemicals include:
Examples of hazardous ingredients include:
Table 1 Examples of Hazardous Ingredients | |
---|---|
Product name | Health Effects |
Acetone (nail polish remover) | Headaches, dizziness Irritated eyes, skin, and throat |
Acetonitrile (finger glue remover) | Irritated nose and throat Breathing problems Nausea and vomiting Weakness and exhaustion |
Butyl acetate (nail polish, nail polish remover) | Headaches Irritated eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and throat |
Ethyl methacrylate (EMA) (artificial nail liquid) | Asthma Irritated eyes, skin, nose, and mouth Difficulty concentrating |
Methyl methacrylate (MMA) (artificial nail products) | Asthma Irritated eyes, skin, nose, and mouth Difficulty concentrating Loss of smell |
Phthalates (nail polish, sealant, top coat and base coat) | Itchy eyes, nose and throat Linked to negative brain effects (difficult to remember or concentrate) |
Toluene (finger nail glue, nail polish and polish thinner) | Can cause lightheadedness and nausea Linked to harm to unborn children (such as low birth weight or size, learning disabilities, or hearing loss.) |
Biological hazards
Chemical hazards
Ergonomics
Physical hazards
Psychological Hazards
Safety hazards
Personal Protective equipment
Below are tips that will help nail salons improve the working conditions.