HealthyAir Source Capture Systems Help Manage Chemical Exposure and Health Risks in Nail Salons

Manicures and pedicures have become a lifestyle service for women who visit nail salons more often than they see their hairdressers, and nail enhancements have gone mainstream. Models walking the runway at fashion week in glamorous, embellished nails and celebrities like Hailey Bieber posting videos of her glazed donut manicure on TikTok are driving the trend. The only downside is that artificial nails like acrylics, fiberglass and gels are comprised primarily of chemicals that can be problematic for nail technicians and their customers who may experience reactions or sensitivities due to prolonged exposure.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which sets workplace safety standards, has identified chemicals like toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate and ethyl methacrylate as being of concern, especially for nail technicians who spend up to eight hours a day in the salon. Paper masks offer protection from some dusts but not chemicals. So, what’s the answer? According to public health officials, good ventilation in nail salons would reduce the risk of exposure to toxic chemicals and nail-filing dust.

Thousands of nail salons in the USA, Canada and overseas rely upon HealthyAir Source Capture Systems to improve indoor air quality and protect the health of their employees and customers. While risk varies based on exposure and susceptibility, implementing Source Capture and Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems, following OSHA guidelines, reduces exposure and ensures a safe environment.

All HealthyAir Source Capture Systems fully comply with, and exceed, IMC Ventilation Code requirements for nail salons, which require:

• A minimum of 50 cfm of air extraction from each nail station
• At least one exhaust inlet per nail station located 12” from the point of chemical
• Exhaust of all extracted air from the nail salon to the outdoor atmosphere

When utilized to strictly meet nail salon ventilation code, HealthyAir systems are setup or installed in fixed locations.  For this purpose, HealthyAir offers Ceiling-Mount, Wall-Mount and Floor-Mount units, each of which have certain advantages including cost-effectiveness, ease-of-installation, and efficient use of space.

Furthermore, HealthyAir offers units that are designed to ventilate a single nail station or simultaneously ventilate two, three, or four nail stations, whether those are adjacent manicure tables or pedicure chairs.  And multiple HealthyAir units can be integrated to provide ventilation solutions for salons with more nail stations.