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Are Singapore nail salons safe for workers?

Sally Hansen launching interactive manicure app
Sally Hansen launching interactive manicure app

Most of us already know that the chemicals used to make nail polish are bad for our health. Yet, nail therapists work day and night providing a service many of us consider a treat, and they breathe the toxic fumes for hours each day. 

In Singapore, a quick survey by Yahoo Singapore found that manicurists are aware of some of the potential health risks from the chemicals used during treatments, but they aren't too concerned -- they are more worried about physical injuries related to the job.

Owner of Nail Lodge in Serangoon Garden, Margaret Tan, 31, worked as manicurist for six years before starting her own salon. While she knows fumes from nail polish and removers can be harmful, a bigger concern she says, is lower back pain. "Because they (manicurists) are sitting down all day, their posture is quite bad," Tan says.

A recent article by the New York Times exposed the poor working conditions and health risks faced by manicurists in New York City. Workers complained of breathing issues, nosebleeds, throat aches and sometimes misscarriage -- all linked to their profession.

These are the most harmful chemicals in polish, known as the ‘Toxic Trio’: 

Chemical

What is it?

Usage

Health risks

Formeldehyde

Naturall-occuring organic compound

Embalming human remains

Carcinogen, linked to cancer

Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)

Placticiser

Used in adhesives, makes nail polish flexible

Obsorbed through the skin, can cause genetic mutations, potentially harming unborn children

Toluene

Colourless, water-insoluble liquid (smells of pain thinner)

Keeps nail polish smooth

Linked to nervous system issues, memory loss and dermatitis

Source: US Occupational Health and Safety Administration

In Singapore, a 2010 survey by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore reveals that there are 19,000 beauty salon businesses on the Island. The same survey revealed 95 per cent of Singaporeans spend more than S$25 on beauty treatments each month. Nail salon workers - and customers - are exposed to dozens of chemicals each time they go for a manicure.

A salon owner, who prefers to not be named, says she doesn’t teach her staff about specific safety issues.

“We always hire people with experience and we do onsite training relating to how we operate here… we teach them about electrical safety for operating machines, to wash hands before touching customers, but not so much about the chemicals in the polish," she said.

A recent trend, gel nail polish, has become popular for its long-lasting, chip-free finish. However, it also has a growing reputation for the damage it causes -- nail brittleness, thinning, skin irritation and even cancer which is linked to the UV light used to dry gel polish.

Tan explains the long-term effects of gel polish, “It’s similar to dying your hair, the more you do it the drier it gets. When customers complain about this, we tell them to take a break from getting any manicures done so their nails can recover."

While it may sound quite toxic for the customer, she says gel nail polish is actually less harmful than the regular one for the manicurists, as most gel polishes are odourless.

Le Boutique Vietnam salon owner Queenie Nguyen, 36, says she selects nail polish brands based on their colours, and never thinks about the ingredients. She doesn’t have much qualms about gel polishes either. “I try not to use the very cheap colours made in China, but in general I don’t care about brands,” she says.

When you get a gel manicure, these are the products used:

Product

 What is it

 Risks

Gel polish

PEG- 12 Dimethicone a silicone-based chemical which is often contaminated with Dioxane, a known carcinogen.

Nail weakness, brittleness and thinning of nail beds

UV light

Used to dry and harden the gel nail polish.

Exposes hands to UV light, increasing risks of cancer

Acetone

Acetone is a solvent used to remove nail polish. The gel polish remover is 100% acetone, while normal nail polish remover is 95% acetone. It's also used as a paint thinner.

Potential to cause reproductive problems. It's also a respiratory irritant and causes the nails to thin up to 50%, which can also increase the risk of infection. 

Source: American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)

Removing the gel polish is also tricky. Fingertips need to be soaking in pure acetone for 15 minutes at least, exposing them to a higher level of acetone (normal nail polish remover contains 95% acetone, and doesn’t require soaking).

The Spa and Wellness Association Singapore (SWAS), which represents stakeholders in the wellness industry such as spa owners, beauticians, and therapists claim they are not responsible for the licensing of a venue, nor the brands or ingredients in any nail polish. However, they have a website which lists all registered therapists in the country.

SWAS honorary secretary Edward Wong encourages beauty therapists to be properly trained and aware of all health risks.

“We want to ensure that therapists have the proper qualification and experience," he said.

He says that although it is not enforced, there are many schools in Singapore where therapists can get certified, and employers can encourage or even send their workers for proper training.

Nguyen admits that while she’s aware of the health hazards of acetone, not all of her staff are. Although she makes it a requirement for her staff to wear gloves and masks, it's never enforced.

"The smell from the nail polish isn’t so bad. Sometimes I smell the hair salon next door and it’s worse! But I will open the door if I need to," she says.