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HEALTHY AIR
A COMMUNITY ARO SU5IMESS UAOE*S GUIDE
Could your family
be affected?
30 states have restricted
or banned the use of
liquid methyl
methacrylate monomer.
Methyl methacrylate
monomer is an
ingredient used in some
artificial nail products
which bond strongly with
the nail.
— U.S. EPA
In 1996 there were
approximately 125,000
nail salons in the United
States, employing over
500,000 nail technicians
with total sales of over
4.5 billion dollars.
— Indoor Air Pollution
Control
About 90% of nail salon
owners belong to ethnic
minority groups, and
large majorities of
owners, employees, and
customers are women.
— Indoor Pollution
Control
COMMUNITY INFORMATION SHEET
3/26/2007
Reducing Air Pollution from:
Nail Salons
Why do nail salons need to reduce air
pollution?
People are exposed to toxic air
pollutants at sufficient concentrations,
for sufficient durations, may increase
their chances of getting cancer or
experiencing other serious health effects,
such as reproductive problems, birth
defects, and aggravated asthma.
Pollution prevention can reduce the
impact of air pollution by using
materials, processes, or practices that
reduce or eliminate air pollution at the
source.
Nail salons offer manicure and
pedicure sendees to their customers.
These activities include shaping,
polishing, and otherwise maintaining
natural and artificial nails, all of which
may release pollutants into the air and
may contribute to health concerns in the
salon and in the community.
The best nail salons implement
pollution prevention strategies not only
to comply with federal, state, local, and
Tribal laws but also to go beyond
compliance and further minimize
impacts on human health and the
environment. Check with your state,
local, or Tribal agencies for existing
regulations.
What kinds of air pollutants may
come from nail salons?
• The products used in nail salons
usually contain solvents and other
chemicals that may have adverse
health effects on workers and
customers. Many nail salon products
contain solvents, which can release
volatile organic compounds (VOC)
and some toxic air pollutants.
Chemicals in these substances can
also react in the air to form ground-
level ozone (smog), which has been
linked to a number of respiratory
effects.
•	Exposure to some artificial nail
products, such as ethyl methacrylate,
can cause asthma. Ethyl methacrylate
is commonly used as an alternative to
methyl methacrylate monomer.
•	Some nail salon products may also
contain toxic air pollutants. While
federal, state, local, and Tribal
regulations limit the amount of
emissions from nail salons,
dangerous releases of VOC and toxic
air pollutants can occur if a nail salon
is not in compliance with regulations.
•	Filing artificial nails generates
particle pollution (dust). This dust
can cause eye irritation and redness.
How can nail and beauty salons
reduce air pollution?
Making changes in nail salon work
practices can stop pollutants at the
source and increase production
efficiency. By evaluating and improving
work practices, nail salons can decrease
emissions, reduce production costs, and
protect employee and public health.
Examples of changes in work practices
that help reduce air pollution include:
Keep Containers Closed
•	Keep stock containers closed at all
times except when dispensing
product.
•	Dispense only what is needed.
Provide Adequate Ventilation
•	Use a dedicated ventilation system
for rooms where product stock is
kept.

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COMMUNITY INFORMATION SHEET
Nail Salons
3/26/2007
•	Install a local exhaust ventilation system at each
manicure station.
Contain Vapors
•	Ventilation systems should not be shared with
neighboring businesses.
Minimize Dust
•	Workers should wear a mask when filing nails or
working with nail powders.
•	Dust-controlling filing techniques, such as using oil
on nails when filing, should be practiced to reduce
the amount of particle pollution generated.
Practice Proper Waste Disposal
•	Place chemical-soaked gauze pads into sealed bags.
•	Change trash can liners daily.
Substitute Materials
•	Use acrylic nails that do not require a primer.
•	Use formaldehyde-free nail hardeners and extending
top coats.
See Owner/Operator Information Sheet for more
reduction measures.
As a community, what can you do to help reduce air
pollution from nail salons?
Make Connections
•	Get to know local nail salon owners and operators.
They know best about the materials and processes
used in their business and the regulations with which
they must comply.
•	Keep local media aware of progress by sending them
updates. Publicity can reward success and attract
more public involvement.
Make a Plan
•	One idea is to form a work group that includes
local nail salon owners and operators to develop
and implement workable pollution reduction plans.
Locate Resources
•	Use the "For Further Information" list below to
find governmental and nonprofit contacts who can
provide help with analysis, technical information,
equipment and funding.
Sponsor Training and Translation
•	Small salons may need funding in order to attend
or provide training.
•	Improved skills lead to less exposure for workers.
•	For some ethnic minority groups, language may be
a barrier. Sponsor translation of pollution
prevention materials into languages commonly
spoken by owners and operators.
Reward Shops
•	Use media connections to provide coverage for
successful efforts. Positive publicity can mean
increased business.
•	Visibly displayed awards or certificates may also
increase business.
¦ / . ta
For Further Information
•	Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association: www.ctfa.org, 202-331-1770
•	Community information, regional, state contacts: www.epa.gov/epahome/whereyoiilive.htmI
•	Community-Based Projects: www.epa.gov/air/toxicair/community.html
•	Pollution prevention awards: State, local, and Tribal governments agencies, universities
•	U.S. EPA Design for the Enviromnent: www.epa.gov/dfe/projects/salon/, 888-884-2478, x58326
•	Toxicity of solvents: Integrated Risk Information Systems (IRIS) (www.epa.gov/iris), Air Toxics Health Effects Note-
books (wwm'. epa.gov/ttn/atw/hapindex. html)
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