Here are some examples of how chemicals can enter the body during a permanent waving process in the salon. It is possible to breathe in perm solution vapors when opening the bottle or wrapping the hair in the solution. There could be skin contact when applying or rinsing the perm. Chemical exposure There are a few ways to tell if there is exposure to chemical: ● Odor. If there is a smell of the chemical that means that it is being breathed into the body. Not all chemicals with odors are toxic. Some chemicals may have an odor but can be harmless. Also, some toxic chemicals will have no odor at all. ● Taste. If the chemical is breathed in or swallowed, it may leave a taste in the mouth. Again, not all chemicals that leave a taste in your mouth will be toxic and some chemicals that are toxic will have no taste. ● Particles. Mucus that is coughed up will have particles from the chemical in it. Also, particles can be seen when blowing
It may also get into the eyes from splashing of the solution, touching the eyes, or vapor from the perm solution. The chemical may also be swallowed if the perm solution is on the hands while eating, drinking or smoking.
the nose. That is a way to know that a chemical was breathed in because of the particles in the mucus. ● Surfaces. Chemicals that are in the air can settle on surfaces in the form of dust, powder or mist. Watch for buildup on surfaces on and around workstations. ● Symptoms. Some people may experience symptoms caused by the chemicals. This would include tears in the eyes, burning on skin, nose or throat irritation, dizziness, or headaches due to the chemical exposure at work.
HEALTH EFFECTS
Acute health effects appear immediately or soon after exposure to the chemical. They can be minor like nose or throat irritation from breathing in the chemicals. They can also be serious like eye damage from a splash from the chemicals.
There can also be chronic health effects that may take a while for the for the problems to show up. This is usually caused by regular exposure to a harmful substance over a long period of time. This is usually permanent like asthma after years of inhaling hairspray, for example. Studies have shown the below conditions to be the most frequent health effects from chemicals in the salon. chemicals during the workday. Their hands also are in water often doing things such as shampooing while using chemicals at the same time. Long periods of exposure to moisture can break down the skin’s natural barrier. This allows more absorption of chemicals and increases the chance of skin irritation. Some examples of chemicals in the salon that cause skin conditions include hair dyes and bleaches, perms, fragrances and acrylates associated with acrylic nails. disease. Another study found that hairdressers were more than four times more likely to suffer from chronic bronchitis than a controlled group of other occupations. They also had 70% increased chance of chronic nasal problems like sneezing and runny nose, 40% greater chance of coughing, and 50% greater chance of shortness of breath (Leino, T. 1997). All of these research studies concluded that allergenic and irritative chemicals in hair salons are likely the difference between the hairdressers and control groups. A common factor found in these studies is that many of the respiratory symptoms in the salon workers were only associated with their work environment. Their symptoms appeared to improve considerably during vacations or days away from the salon (Roelofs, C. 2008). Symptoms of eye irritants can include burning, watering, itchy and red eyes. Nose and throat irritants can cause a runny nose, scratchy throat, burning and itching. Lung irritants could include breathing difficulty, shortness of breath and coughing. Some examples of products in the salon that contain irritants are perms, relaxers, acrylic nail products and hairsprays. and birth defects that are commonly found in salon products. Elevated risks of miscarriage were also seen for salon workers working in salons where nail sculpturing took place as well as in salons that use formaldehyde and alcohol-based disinfectants (Morales-Suarez- Varela 2001).
Skin conditions Skin conditions are the most common work-related health effects reported among salon workers (Lysdal 2011). This includes dermatitis, eczema and skin rashes. These mostly affect the hands of salon workers since that is what part of the body is using the chemicals. Upwards of 60% of salon workers have reported having these skin conditions . Hairdressers are two to three times more likely to suffer from skin conditions than those people in other occupations (Bradshaw 2011). Salon worker’s hands are exposed to numerous irritating and sensitizing Respiratory conditions / breathing problems The second most common kinds of health effects experienced by salon workers are breathing problems such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, cough and nasal symptoms (Lillenberg 2013). Salon products contain chemicals that can build up in the air of the salon. Some of these chemicals can be lung irritants and allergens. Breathing in these chemicals all day can affect the air quality in the salon. This is called occupational asthma and hairdressers have one of the highest risks of new onset asthma compared to workers in other occupations. Salon workers have been shown to be at greater risk for other chronic lung diseases as well as other breathing problems. A study of medical centers in 15 states found that hairdressers were four times more likely to be diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which is an unexplained fatal chronic lung Irritants Some chemicals can cause immediate irritations. They can produce immediate reactions when they come in contact with the skin, eyes, nose, throat or lungs. Many products found in salons contain irritants. Reproductive disorders Working in a salon is a predominantly female profession, so the potential for harmful reproductive effects from chemicals is a big concern. Many pregnant salon workers seek advice about the chemicals they work with while pregnant. Toxic solvents and endocrine disrupting chemicals have been associated with adverse reproductive outcomes such as pregnancy problems
Book Code: CFL1024
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