Characterization of indoor air contaminants in a randomly selected set of commercial nail salons in Salt Lake County, Utah, USA

Abstract

Air samples were collected in 12 randomly selected commercial nail salons in Salt Lake County, Utah. Measurements of salon physical/chemical parameters (room volume, CO₂ levels) were obtained. Volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations were collected using summa air canisters and sorbent media tubes for an 8-h period. Multivariate analyses were used to identify relationships between salon physical/chemical characteristics and the VOCs found in the air samples. The ACGIH^® additive mixing formula was also applied to determine if there were potential overexposures to the combined airborne concentrations of chemicals monitored. Methyl methacrylate was detected in 58% of the establishments despite having been banned for use in nail products by the state of Utah. Formaldehyde was found above the NIOSH REL^® (0.016 ppm) in 58% of the establishments. Given the assortment of VOCs to which nail salon workers are potentially exposed, a combination of engineering as well as personal protective equipment is recommended.

Keywords:

• nail salons
• occupational health
• indoor air quality
• volatile organic compounds
• chemical exposure

Acknowledgments

This project was made possible by funding from US NIOSH grant T42OH008414. The authors would also like to acknowledge Dale Keller from the SLVHD for his invaluable assistance.