Though a national organization recently revealed a study linking long term exposure to chemicals at beauty salons to health problems of employees, the issue has been a topic of concern in Oregon and beyond for years.
“Salons really can be a hazardous place to work,” said Alexandra Scranton, director of science and research at Women’s Voices for the Earth. “There are things that salon workers can do now to reduce their risk but we really need some changes in the industry. It’s really paramount to have safer products.”
Women’s Voices for the Earth released a study earlier this month pulling together data from various scientific literature showing hazardous chemicals are often found in nail and hair salon products.
“Based on a review of the scientific literature, WVE found studies showing that hair salon workers have an increased risk of several types of cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer, cancer of the larynx, bladder cancer and multiple myeloma,” according to WVE.
The study also found hairdressers and cosmetologists are also more likely to give birth to low birth weight babies, and salon workers often suffer from asthma and dermatitis.
Oregon officials confirmed that it’s an issue here in the Beaver State.
“We have looked at the issue before and I think it’s clear that there is a risk in salons,” Penny Wolf-McCormick, health enforcement manager of OSHA’s Portland office. “There’s a variety of chemicals that are being used and very often they’re not being controlled very well.
Though the local arm of OSHA has cited some salons for improper training of employees or for not implementing safeguards against toxic exposure, it’s likely there are others that the regulatory agency didn’t catch.
“Very often, we don’t have jurisdiction,” Wolf-McCormick said, noting several salons workers are independent contractors. And even those who are covered by an employer might not know they have a right to a safe work environment.
“Often times the workers are afraid to speak up,” she said.
Safety First
Years ago, activists and state officials in Oregon formed a collaboration in an effort to improve the environmental health of nail salon workers called the Oregon Collaborative for Healthy Nail Salons.
The goal was mostly to inform and offer safety tips for nail salon workers. And ever since, the conversation has continued.
“There’s been conversations here but nothing formal in the works,” said Dede Montgomery, senior research associate with the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at Oregon Health & Science University.
The occupational institute has a website that it updates with current work safety related information and it includes a section called beauty and salon that has updates, including the WVE study.
There is a chance more could be done in Oregon. Communities in other states have adopted green salon programs where businesses that follow best practices are recognized for their healthier efforts, experts said.
I think that we’re always eager to find partners who have more connections with nail salon workers,” Montgomery said.
Part of the challenge for organizations to work together on movements for change, she added, is that many salons are small businesses and some employers do not speak English as their first language.
Wolf-McCormick said usually salons that get into trouble are those that do not have sufficient training for employees on how to protect themselves from the toxins. She said most come into compliance after being notified.
“It very rarely comes down to shutting anyone down,” she said.
Experts say the best fix is to switch to natural beauty products that don’t contain harmful chemicals. But other options are to ensure employees protect themselves by installing ventilation in the salons and having workers wash their hands frequently and securely dispose of materials.
Common Concern
Local environmental advocates say the key to change is good data, clear alternatives and consumer awareness.
“If we can do precautionary actions with gas stations to protect workers in the public, we should be able to do the very same thing with nail salons,” said Lisa Arkin, executive director of Beyond Toxics. She was referencing steps the organization got the state to take to steps to reduce the benzene levels in the environment that workers were exposed to at gas stations.
Jen Coleman, outreach coordinator for the Oregon Environmental Council, said the Food and Drug Administration needs better laws on toxic chemicals in consumer products, and more leeway to enforce them.
“FDA's lack of authority and oversight puts consumers and beauty care workers alike at risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals,” she said. “The FDA does not review the safety of ingredients before they go to market; they don't require companies to test products for safety before they go to market; they allow "proprietary" ingredients to remain undisclosed, and they do not have the authority to recall products from the shelves even when they are shown to be unsafe. Because of this faulty system of regulations, consumers and beauty care workers cannot trust that personal care products are safe.”
WVE’s new report includes recommendations for protecting salon workers health including improved ventilation, the manufacture of safer products, participation in healthy salon recognition programs, as well as using safer products and appropriate protective equipment, according to a press release from the group.
Experts agree consumers can also be aware and demand safer practices for people who fix their nails and hair.
“All together we can kind of not just improve the work and the experience for employees but it can also benefit the consumer,” Montgomery said.
Scranton said WVE took its findings to members of Congress and salon worker representatives in Washington D.C. and hopes to make changes to the industry that would include safer products in salons.
“We think it certainly did make an impression that this is an important issue to be paying attention to,” she said.
Shelby can be reached at [email protected].
