| Title: | Reducing chemical exposures in nail salons through owner and worker trainings: an exploratory intervention study |
| Author(s): | Quach T; Varshavsky J; Von Behren J; Garcia E; Tong M; Nguyen T; Tran A; Gunier R; Reynolds P; |
| Address: | "Cancer Prevention Institute of California, Berkeley, California 94704, USA. thu.quach@cpic.org" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1097-0274 (Electronic) 0271-3586 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "BACKGROUND: Nail salons represent a rapidly growing industry with mainly Vietnamese immigrant workers. Workers routinely handle nail products containing hazardous compounds, yet have limited accessible information to minimize workplace exposures. METHODS: We conducted a culturally appropriate pilot intervention on workplace chemical exposure reduction strategies. We trained eight Vietnamese owners, who then trained Vietnamese workers in their salons. We conducted pre-, mid-, and post-intervention assessments with workers, including an in-person survey and personal air monitoring of volatile compounds. RESULTS: Survey results suggested statistically significant increases for chemical knowledge and behavioral changes in glove and mask use, and a reduced prevalence of nose, throat, and skin irritations. Air monitoring results showed a net reduction for methyl methacrylate and total volatile organic compounds, but not for toluene. CONCLUSIONS: Worker education disseminated through salon owners to their workers can improve work-related knowledge, behavior, health symptoms, and exposures for select air contaminants, although more research is warranted" |
| Keywords: | "Adult Air Pollutants, Occupational/*adverse effects Asian People *Beauty Culture California Cross-Sectional Studies Environmental Monitoring/methods Female Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Humans Male Maximum Allowable Concentration Middle Aged Nails;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineQuach, Thu Varshavsky, Julia Von Behren, Julie Garcia, Erika Tong, My Nguyen, Tuan Tran, Alisha Gunier, Robert Reynolds, Peggy eng 1R56ES019598-01/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/ Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural 2012/12/21 Am J Ind Med. 2013 Jul; 56(7):806-17. doi: 10.1002/ajim.22146. Epub 2012 Dec 19" |
