Hazardous Chemicals Found in Salon Products and Cosmetology Establishments

Products used in cosmetology establishments may contain chemicals that can have serious health effects.  Some potentially hazardous chemicals 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

• 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 wheezing; allergic reactions; irritated eyes, skin, and throat. Formaldehyde can cause cancer. 

• Isopropyl acetate (nail polish, nail polish remover): sleepiness, and irritated eyes, nose, and throat.

• Methacrylic acid (nail primer): skin burns and irritated eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and throat. At higher concentrations, this chemical can cause difficulty breathing.

• Methyl methacrylate (MMA), (artificial nail products, though banned for use in many states): asthma; irritated eyes, skin, nose, and mouth; difficulty concentrating; loss of smell.

• Quaternary ammonium compounds (disinfectants): irritated skin and nose; may cause asthma.

• Toluene (nail polish, fingernail glue): dry or cracked skin; headaches, dizziness, and numbness; irritated eyes, nose, throat, and lungs; damage to liver and kidneys; and harm to unborn children during pregnancy.

Toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate are sometimes referred to in the industry as the "toxic trio", since they are commonly found in nail products.

When working in a cosmetology establishment, be sure to protect your own skin and airway with proper PPE.  To learn more, please register for training with us at:  https://ceinstitute.com/

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