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Evaluating a county‐based healthy nail salon recognition program
Author(s) -
Garcia Erika,
Sharma Swati,
Pierce Michelle,
Bhatia Sushma,
Argao Sania Tong,
Hoang Kim,
Quach Thu
Publication year - 2015
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.22379
Subject(s) - salon , medicine , nail (fastener) , intervention (counseling) , environmental health , nursing , engineering , mechanical engineering , sociology , anthropology
Objectives The City of San Francisco, California established a recognition program for nail salons that use safer nail products and receive worker safety training. This pilot study examined whether participating salons had reduced levels of toluene, methyl methacrylate (MMA), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), and improved knowledge and behavior compared to control salons. Methods We conducted personal air monitoring and administered surveys assessing knowledge and behaviors of two workers from each of six intervention salons and five control salons. We conducted assessments before and after the worker training. Results Although non‐significant, there was a reduction in toluene (−46% vs. 0%) and TVOC (−19% vs. +47%), but an increase in MMA (+113% and +72%) among intervention salons compared to control salons. Awareness of dibutyl phthalates in nail products increased (+55%) among intervention salons between surveys. Conclusions A government‐administered nail salon recognition program may reduce chemical exposures and increase work‐related knowledge. Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:193–202, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.