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Reducing Chemical Exposures in Nail Salons through Owner and Worker Trainings: An Exploratory Intervention Study
Author(s) -
Quach Thu,
Varshavsky Julia,
Von Behren Julie,
Garcia Erika,
Tong My,
Nguyen Tuan,
Tran Alisha,
Gunier Robert,
Reynolds Peggy
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22146
Subject(s) - medicine , vietnamese , salon , intervention (counseling) , nail (fastener) , environmental health , indoor air quality , personal protective equipment , nursing , ecology , philosophy , linguistics , materials science , disease , covid-19 , pathology , sociology , anthropology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , metallurgy , biology
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. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:806–817, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.