● Breathing difficulties, such as coughing and wheezing. Levels of formaldehyde above 0.1 ppm in the air can irritate your nose, throat, and lungs. These symptoms will get worse as formaldehyde levels go up.
Formaldehyde is a known cancer-causing substance. Exposure to formaldehyde can also cause: ● Eye irritation and damage, including blindness. ● Nose irritation, including bloody noses. ● Skin sensitivity, rashes, and itching. Testing and preventing formaldehyde health hazards OSHA regulations to protect workers includes the following (OSHA,2021): The best way to control formaldehyde exposure is to use products that do not list formaldehyde, formalin, methylene glycol, or any of the other names listed on the Formaldehyde in Your Products page. If products containing these substances are being used, salon owners must follow the requirements of OSHA’s Formaldehyde standard: ● Test the air in your salon during product use to determine if workers may be exposed to formaldehyde levels at or above OSHA's limits (0.75 parts formaldehyde per million parts of air (ppm) for an 8-hour work shift or the Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL) of 2 ppm during a 15-minute period). You must also notify workers of the air testing results. ● Give workers the right gloves and other protective equipment (for example, face shield, chemical splash goggles, chemical-resistant aprons) and train workers how to use the equipment while mixing and applying the products. ● Explain to workers how to read and understand the information on a product's label and MSDS. ● Make sure the workplace has eye and skin washing equipment if products that contain formaldehyde could be splashed onto the workers' skin or into their eyes. ● Inform and train workers about the health effects of formaldehyde (including signs and symptoms exposure), how to use the product safely, what protective equipment to wear, how to safely clean up spills, how to properly throw out products, and how to handle formaldehyde-contaminated clothing and equipment. Workers must be trained at the time of their initial assignment and annually thereafter. ● Prepare a written hazard communication program that describes how workers will be informed about labels and other forms of warning, MSDSs, and training requirements. ● Offer workers the right medical attention (e.g., doctor exams) if they develop signs and symptoms of an exposure to formaldehyde or are exposed to large amounts of formaldehyde during an emergency (e.g., a large spill). If air testing shows formaldehyde levels in the salon are above 0.5 ppm during an 8-hour work shift or 2 ppm during any 15-minute period, then salon owners must: ○ Offer workers the right medical attention (e.g., doctor exams).
○ Test the air periodically to make sure that formaldehyde levels are below OSHA's limits. Testing must be performed at least every 6 months when levels are at or above 0.5 ppm and every 12 months when levels are at or above 2 ppm. ○ Make sure workers who are exposed know what precautions are being used to lower their exposure. ○ Use the additional measures below if formaldehyde levels are above OSHA’s limits of 2 ppm during any 15-minute period or go above 0.75 during an 8-hour work shift. If air testing shows formaldehyde levels in the salon are above OSHA's limits of 0.75 ppm of air during an 8-hour work shift or 2 ppm during any 15-minute period, then salon owners must: ○ Install and maintain ventilation systems in areas where the products are mixed and used to keep formaldehyde levels below OSHA limits. ○ Use work practices that may reduce exposures, such as requiring lower heat settings on blow dryers and flat irons. ○ Ensure workers are using appropriate protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, face shields, and chemical resistant aprons at no cost to the worker. ○ Provide workers with respirators at no cost to them and train them in proper respirator use if ventilation and other work practices do not reduce formaldehyde levels below OSHA limits. If respirators are used, salon owners must also meet all other requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.134. ○ Post signs warning workers that formaldehyde is present above OSHA limits and restrict access to authorized personnel. ○ Salon owners must also keep records of air tests and their results, any medical attention needed by their employees, and respirator fit testing. Chemicals used in hair and facial services can cause damage to the hair and scalp if left on too long and the client may have an allergic reaction to a substance that may be previously unknown. Chemicals can also cause hair to break, shed, or dissolve, and irritate the eyes and skin which can cause short and long- term injury. It is important to always interview the client to ask about allergies and sensitivity before beginning services and to inspect the scalp and skin for any cuts, soars, blisters, or signs of disease.
HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS IN NAIL SALONS
Federal OSHA standards apply to nail salons and address potential hazards that may be found in these facilities. Standards are organized according to the type of hazard including hazardous chemicals. Hazardous chemicals found in nail salon products Products used in nail salons can contain many chemicals that can have serious health effects. Some potentially hazardous chemicals, the types of products they can be found in, and how they can affect a worker include: ● Acetone (nail polish remover) : headaches; dizziness; and irritated eyes, skin, and throat. ● Acetonitrile (fingernail glue remover) : irritated nose and throat; breathing problems; nausea; vomiting; weakness; and exhaustion. ● Butyl acetate (nail polish, nail polish remover) : headaches and irritated eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and throat.
Standards for nail salons cover respiratory protection, hazard communication, ventilation, air contaminants, and formaldehyde. The standards that can be reviewed at, https://www.osha.gov/ nail-salons/standards. OSHA provides the following information (OSHA, n.d.) ● Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), (nail polish) : nausea and irritated eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and throat. Long-term exposures to high concentrations may cause other serious effects. ● Ethyl acetate (nail polish, nail polish remover, fingernail glue) : irritated eyes, stomach, skin, nose, mouth, and throat; high levels can cause fainting. ● Ethyl methacrylate (EMA), (artificial nail liquid) : asthma; irritated eyes, skin, nose, and mouth; difficulty concentrating. Exposures while pregnant may affect your child. ● Formaldehyde (nail polish, nail hardener) : difficulty breathing, including coughing, asthma-like attacks, and
Book Code: COH0325A
Page 17
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