Nail technician

{{Main|Occupational hazard}}

In the United States there are approximately 400,000 nail technicians registered and occupational exposures to chemical hazards is recognized as a concern in this profession. The significant health impacts of these chemicals are marginalized as a majority of this workforce is women of reproductive age.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-03 |title=Researching Risk of Birth Defects Among Pregnant Nail Salon Workers and Hairdressers {{!}} Blogs |publisher=CDC |url=https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2021/11/03/birth-defects-nail-hair/ |access-date=2024-11-19 |language=en-us}}

These nail salons use a wide variety of supplies that have high levels of acrylates, parabens, phthalates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It has been found that these chemical exposures can be linked to respiratory, reproductive, and neurological health issues and most of these supplies are carcinogenic.{{Cite journal |last1=Kreiss |first1=Kathleen |last2=Esfahani |first2=Reza S. |last3=Antao |first3=Vinicius C. S. |last4=Odencrantz |first4=John |last5=Lezotte |first5=Dennis C. |last6=Hoffman |first6=Richard E. |date=October 2006 |title=Risk Factors for Asthma Among Cosmetology Professionals in Colorado |url=http://journals.lww.com/00043764-200610000-00015 |journal=Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine |language=en |volume=48 |issue=10 |pages=1062–1069 |doi=10.1097/01.jom.0000237348.32645.eb |pmid=17033506 |issn=1076-2752}} Additionally, the exposure of the endocrine disruptors in phthalates found in nail products is of note. A study of Canadian nail salons proved that these phthalates are aerosolized and causing chronic health effects.{{Cite journal |last1=Nguyen |first1=Linh V. |last2=Diamond |first2=Miriam L. |last3=Kalenge |first3=Sheila |last4=Kirkham |first4=Tracy L. |last5=Holness |first5=D. Linn |last6=Arrandale |first6=Victoria H. |date=2022-03-01 |title=Occupational Exposure of Canadian Nail Salon Workers to Plasticizers Including Phthalates and Organophosphate Esters |journal=Environmental Science & Technology |language=en |volume=56 |issue=5 |pages=3193–3203 |doi=10.1021/acs.est.1c04974 |pmid=35156803 |bibcode=2022EnST...56.3193N |issn=0013-936X|doi-access=free }} The VOCs are an added concern for nail technicians. A study in 2019 was one of the first of its kind to measure biomarkers for VOCs in nail technicians pre and post shift. It was found that toluene levels were significantly higher in workers blood post shift.{{Cite journal |last1=Ceballos |first1=Diana M. |last2=Craig |first2=Jessica |last3=Fu |first3=Xianqiang |last4=Jia |first4=Chunrong |last5=Chambers |first5=David |last6=Chu |first6=MyDzung T. |last7=Fernandez |first7=Alai T. |last8=Fruh |first8=Victoria |last9=Petropoulos |first9=Zoe E. |last10=Allen |first10=Joseph G. |last11=Vallarino |first11=Jose |last12=Thornburg |first12=Lydia |last13=Webster |first13=Thomas F. |date=2019 |title=Biological and environmental exposure monitoring of volatile organic compounds among nail technicians in the Greater Boston area |journal=Indoor Air |language=en |volume=29 |issue=4 |pages=539–550 |doi=10.1111/ina.12564 |issn=1600-0668 |pmc=6565444 |pmid=31112343}} Consistent exposure to toluene can cause severe damage to the central nervous system, with symptoms like motor dysfunction and limb paralysis.{{Cite journal |last1=Filley |first1=Christopher M. |last2=Halliday |first2=William |last3=Kleinschmidt-Demasters |first3=B. K. |date=January 2004 |title=The Effects of Toluene on the Central Nervous System |url=https://academic.oup.com/jnen/article-abstract/63/1/1/2916394?redirectedFrom=fulltext |journal=Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology |volume=63 |issue=1 |pages=1–12 |doi=10.1093/jnen/63.1.1 |pmid=14748556 |issn=0022-3069}}

It is necessary that education be spread on their hazards and more research should be done in order for effective personal protective equipment to be chosen upon. These education measures are necessary and critical to ensure the health and safety of workers. With a majority of these workers being young women of color it is additionally important that recognition of the severity of the damage these chemical exposures cause to avoid further marginalization of this community. The increased risk of those who are pregnant furthers the need for workplace safety in nail salons.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has provided guidelines on ways to mitigate the impact of these harsh chemical exposures. However, these regulations point out that they are still insufficient from eliminating hazards and policies still need to be strengthened in order to ensure proper safety.{{Cite web |title= Health Hazards in Nail Salons-Chemical Hazards |url=https://www.osha.gov/nail-salons/chemical-hazards#steps |website=Occupational Safety and Health Administration}}

Ergonomics is the strategical process of changing a work environment to better fit a job to the employees capabilities.{{Cite web |date=2015-09-23 |title=Ergonomics for Nail Techs |url=https://www.nailpro.com/business/article/21157276/ergonomics-for-nail-techs |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Nailpro |language=en-us}} Ergonomics wants to create a strong connection between the body and mind with its workplace. The job of a nail technician involves a lot of repetitive movements, bending over and sitting for long periods of time.{{Cite web |title=Health Hazards in Nail Salons |url=https://www.osha.gov/nail-salons/positions-motions#:~:text=Use%20an%20adjustable%20chair%20that,blood%20flow%20to%20the%20legs |website=Occupational Safety and Health Administration}} This could lead to health problems in the muscles, joints, or spine. This health problems are known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).{{Cite web |last=CDC |date=2024-05-09 |title=About Ergonomics and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders |url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ergonomics/about/index.html |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders |language=en-us}} The goal of ergonomics is to make any modifications to a work environment to help the employee both physically and mentally when working.

Possible modifications towards better posture includes adjustable chairs that can helps support the back and ensure sitting at a 90-degree angle.{{Cite web |title=Ergonomic Basics for Nail Techs |url=https://www.nailsmag.com/386453/ergonomic-basics-for-nail-techs |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=www.nailsmag.com |language=en-us}} Lighting for precise artwork can also be adjusted to facilitate good posture. When performing tedious repetitive movements such as filing or polishing they should make sure their hands and wrists are kept straight and not bent. Lastly, placing arms at the end of the table and use a towel or any form of padding to soften the edge can minimize localized pressure point during repetitive work.

• Park Eun-kyung
• Bernadette Thompson
• Deborah Lippmann

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nail-technicians/about/index.html Nail Technicians: Workplace Safety and Health], by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• [https://www.osha.gov/nail-salons Health hazards in nail salons], by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• [https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/3542nail-salon-workers-guide.pdf Stay healthy and safe while giving manicures and pedicures], by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Category:Beauty