Hair and nail salon products may contain potentially harmful chemicals that can cause occupational asthma, as well as other health concerns. 

Nail care products can contain many chemicals that may be harmful to salon workers and shop owners, including benzene and formaldehyde, both of which are known to cause cancer. Other harmful chemicals in nail care products include acetone, acetonitrile, dibutyl phthalate, ethyl acetate, fiberglass, titanium dioxide, toluene, and volatile organic compounds. 

Because many chemicals in nail products evaporate into the air, salon customers may also be exposed to these chemicals at a salon. Hair and nail salons should be properly ventilated to circulate fresh air into the salon. 

Children are especially at risk if they are exposed to (or accidentally drink) nail polish removers and artificial nail removers. Polish removers are sometimes used as recreational inhalants to get "high". 

Some hair dye products contain ingredients that may irritate the skin. Some products must not be used for dyeing eyelashes or eyebrows because they may cause blindness. Other hair dye products contain ingredients that can penetrate the skin. 

Salon workers are also exposed to latex dust if they use latex gloves.

This description is based on the information found in the Web links listed with this topic.

Web Links from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine)
Cosmetics
Household Products
Piercing and Tattoos
Sun Exposure (indoor tanning)

More Links
Beauty Products and Cancer: Know the Facts (National Cancer Institute) (PDF — 84.24 KB)
Cosmetics (Food and Drug Administration) (PDF — 221.59 KB)
Cosmetics. Product and Ingredient Safety (Food and Drug Administration)
Hairdressers, Hair Stylists and Cosmetologists. Haz-Map (National Library of Medicine)
Nail Salons Project (Environmental Protection Agency)
Personal Care. Household Products Database (National Library of Medicine)
Reducing Air Pollution from: Nail Salons (Environmental Protection Agency) (PDF — 119.12 KB)
Salons and Health. PubMed/MEDLINE - Journal articles (National Library of Medicine)
UV Tanning Equipment (Environmental Protection Agency)

Chemicals in Salons
Are these chemicals in MY community?
Acetone
Ammonia
Benzene
Ethylene Oxide
Formaldehyde
Methanol
Phthalates
Solvents
Toluene
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Last Updated: January 28, 2013