In addition to manicures, pedicures, waxing, and other beauty treatments, nail salons are one of the most frequented beauty spots for most people. This commercial space will unfortunately contain a lot of chemical products that will contain a wide variety of chemicals within its construction, such as nail polish, nail polish remover, acrylic nails, glue, and other products used when this variety of different services are performed inside of it.

In the case of nail salons, these products are continually used throughout the day in large quantities, which can lead to major problems with air quality within their indoor spaces, and becoming more concerning a public health hazard to their employees as well as their customers.

This article will discuss the hazards of working in a nail salon, such as chemical fumes produced by the products used, and how ozone generator technology can be incorporated into this commercial setting to mitigate these hazards and provide a healthier and safer environment.

Health and Safety in a Salon

You may be surprised to learn that you are possibly exposed to chemicals inside of nail salons that can be potentially hazardous to your health. If nail salons do not set any preventative or safety standards to control or mitigate the airborne combination of chemicals that can be released into an environment like this, health and safety could be compromised.

OSHA found that nail salon employees are often exposed to many different types of chemicals on a daily basis. If accumulated chemical exposure is not flushed out by adequate ventilation and air flow, this can become problematic, especially in nail salons. This can cause nail salon workers to become sick with various health effects overtime, as they will be exposed to the chemical for a longer period of time.

Nail Salon Chemicals

Did you know that about 100 chemicals have been identified as potentially being present in nail salon products? The New York State Department of Health reports that a single nail polish used at a nail salon can contain as many as dozens of chemicals, including acetates, methacrylates, and phthalates. This makes you wonder whether this environment in nail salon is harmful. These chemicals listed in nail salon products aren’t the only ones that can be dangerous.

There are many other dangerous chemicals in these products, such as the following:

Nail Salon Chemicals

• Acetone

Frequently found in nail polish remover; a product that is used by nearly every customer in nail salons. There have been reports that this chemical can cause dizziness, skin irritation, and irritation of the eyes, throat and headache.

• Acetonitrile

In fingernail glue removers, this chemical causes irritation of the throat, stomach and nose.

• Butyl Acetate

There is a chemical in nail polishes and nail polish removers that causes headaches and irritation of the eyes, mouth, skin, and nose.

• Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)

This chemical in  nail polish contains substances that will irritate the eyes, nose and skin.

• Ethyl Acetate 

Fingernail glue, nail polish and Nail polish remover, among others, contain this chemical. Chemicals in this product can cause irritation to the nose, throat, eyes, stomach, and  skin.

• Ethyl Methacrylate (EMA)

Nose, mouth irritation, asthma, and eyes, as well as difficulties concentrating can be caused by this chemical.

• Formaldehyde

Nail hardener and Nail polish, both used in nail salons, contain formaldehyde, a very well-known chemical VOC. Headaches, allergies, asthma attacks, etc. can be caused by this chemical.

• Toluene

Among its effects are dizziness, eye irritation, headaches, and dry skin. It is a chemical found in nail polish and fingernail glue.

Ozone Generator for Nail Salons Air Purification

Using an ozone generator system is the most effective way to eradicate harmful chemicals and VOCs from nail salons. When these substances are concentrated in places such as nail salons, a standard filter in an HVAC system may not suffice, as well as simply using an open window or door to allow fresh air into the building.

The vast majority of filters merely trap harmful chemicals and particulates and then recycle them back into the air without doing anything to trap and neutralize the chemicals and particles once they have been collected. It is possible to provide air quality solutions for nail salons with proprietary neutralization technologies, such as an ozone generator, that will trap and remove the chemicals and particulates completely from the environment.

This ozone generator technology is a breakthrough air purifier that employs patented ozone technology. Our ozone generators capture, contain, and neutralize a wide range of hazardous chemicals and odors present in nail salon products today, such as formaldehyde and toluene.

Ozone generators are completely different from air purifier technologies that capture and retain chemicals and odors. Instead of capturing and retaining the chemical, they break it down and eliminate it totally. The ozone generator will thus provide perfect protection against VOCs, odors, and particulate removal in the nail salon commercial space while at the same time increasing airflow in the space that, in turn, will assist with the industries ventilation needs.

Bottom Line

Indoor air in nail salons is among the most toxic. Typically used at nail salons are polishes, removers, varnishes and adhesives that emit noxious fumes. Occupational Safety & Health Administration classifies toluene and formaldehyde as carcinogens (cancer-causing) and are commonly found in nail care products. Therefore, nail professionals, other salon employees, salon clients, and local residents are at risk for contracting respiratory diseases as a result of the solvents.

Your employees and valued customers will feel safe and comfortable with cleaner indoor air. An ozone generator is an air purification system approved by the EPA.

A positive, clean, safe image can help your business succeed, decrease absenteeism, reduce occupational exposures to harmful pollutants, and increase employee satisfaction. In addition to cleaning the workspace directly, our ozone generator solution also prevents pollutants from circulating throughout your building, so there is cleaner air for your employees and customers.

All things considered, it is worthy to give ozone generator a chance to ensure the safety of your nail salon.