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Beauty at What Cost?

A flourishing nail salon industry, run mostly by Vietnamese immigrants, has lowered the price of a manicure considerably in recent years. But that doesn’t mean someone isn’t paying for it: The health risks to those who work in these salons, or frequent them, are substantial.

Nail polishes and other products used in salons contain numerous toxic ingredients, which have been known to cause cancer, birth defects and other health problems. Many smaller, low-priced salons such as you find at a strip mall often have poor ventilation, and lack the kind of protective gear needed to keep workers and clients safe.

Beauty salon products, including nail polish, contain toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate, to name just a few of the dangerous ingredients. These chemical compounds have been linked to birth defects, reproductive problems and cancer. Breathing fumes from the chemicals and touching them can also lead to nose bleeds, infections, skin rashes, headaches and dizziness, as well as respiratory problems. They are particularly dangerous for pregnant women, whose unborn fetuses can suffer from exposure.

Some companies are now making beauty products with less harmful ingredients, but they are far from widely available. In the meantime, salons should take safety precautions such as wearing masks, gloves, goggles and improving ventilation.

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To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org