Allergies Allergies are reactions that people have when they are overly sensitive to a particular chemical. This will cause a reaction every time the chemical is used. Chemicals that can cause allergies are called allergens. Allergies can develop at different times for different people. Dermatitis Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin from contact with a chemical. A skin rash from chemical contact would be an allergic dermatitis. Nervous system disorders and neurotoxic effects The nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord and nerves in the body. Chemicals can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, restlessness and lack of coordination. This is caused by breathing vapors from chemicals. Sometime, this can also be affected by the chemical being absorbed into the skin. Cancers Cancers are caused by a growth or spread of abnormal cells in the body. This can be caused by exposure to certain chemicals called carcinogens which is a substance that is capable of causing cancer in loving tissue. Some chemicals in salons are known or suspected carcinogens. Cancer causing chemicals are found in many salon products. This raises the concern that occupational exposure to these chemicals may increase the risk of cancer in salon workers. A study conducted found that hairdressers were three times greater risk of breast cancer than women in other occupations (IARC 2010). Studies have also been associated with greater risks of cancers in hairdressers in lung, larynx, and bladder cancers compared to those in other occupations.
Symptoms of allergies may include a stuffy nose, tears in the eyes, wheezing or coughing. Asthma would be considered a serious allergic reaction to a chemical.
Symptoms of dermatitis are flaking, dryness, redness, itching and burning of the skin. This is caused by a chemical getting on the skin and irritating it.
Neurotoxicity occurs when the exposure to a natural or manmade toxic substance alters the normal activity of the nervous system. Hairdressers use solvents and other volatile chemicals associated with neurotoxic effects. Salon workers have been found to suffer from neurological symptoms and diseases at higher rates. A study found that hairdressers have an increased risk of dying from Alzheimer’s Disease, presenile dementia and motor neuron disease, which are neurological conditions. Some examples of known carcinogens are: 1. Methylene chloride. This chemical was used in hairspray until it was banned in 1989 for being a known carcinogen. 2. Coal tar dyes. These are artificial coloring agents made from combining toluene, xylene, and benzene. They are also made from petroleum distillates. These are all known to cause cancer and are considered human carcinogens by the State and Federal Government. The FDA tried to ban coal tar dyes, but the hair dye manufacturers objected. The FDA agreed not to ban the ingredients, but require the products made with coal tar dyes have a caution label. 3. Shampoos. Some shampoos and conditioners have chemicals called triethanolamine (TEA) or diethanolamine (DEA) in the ingredients. If these are found in the product that also contains the chemical BNPD, they will react and produce nitrosamines. Nitrosamines are classified as a known human carcinogen.
WHERE TO FIND CHEMICAL INGREDIENTS
Employees should read each SDS and make sure they understand all information. These must be available to workers in a convenient location. Employers must provide information and training to all workers who use the products. They also must provide information about the chemical potential hazards and how to use the product safely. Ingredients can also be found on the product label, packaging or print materials of the product. Manufacturers are not required to fully list all ingredients in products for professional use. Product labels should have at minimum the name and address of the manufacturer and distributor. They should also have an identity statement explaining the type of use through the name, description or illustration. There should also be facts about the product, directions for safe use or if the product can be unsafe if used incorrectly. All warning and caution statements should also be on the labels.
Material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety data sheets (SDS) are associated with each product. MSDS are documents that list information relating to occupational safety and health for the use of various substances and products. SDSs are used as a system to catalogue information on chemicals, chemical compounds, and chemical mixtures. The SDS also explains the health risks of a product and lists the precautions for worker protection . SDS are focused on the hazards of working with the material or product in an occupational setting rather thanpa use by a general consumer. SDS must provide the following information: 1. The hazardous ingredients are in the product. 2. How users can be exposed to the chemicals in the product. 3. The health and safety risks when using the products. 4. Precautions for safely using and storing the products. 5. What to do in case of emergencies.
PRODUCTS AND THE CHEMICALS THEY CONTAIN
Hair salons More than 9,000 chemicals are found in cosmetology products (Halliday-Bell 2009). These products and chemicals are made for professional use only. These users must be trained and certified on the proper use before usage. Hair dye represents the largest segment of chemical products in the hair industry. This is the main source of chemical exposure among hairdressers.
Volatile organic compound (VOC’s) are organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at ordinary room temperature. The high vapor pressure results from a low boiling point. This causes molecules to evaporate from the liquid and enter the air. Chemicals used in the beauty industry release VOC’s and carcinogens.
Page 3
Book Code: CFL1024
EliteLearning.com/Cosmetology
Powered by FlippingBook