Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Ontario Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Ann Work Expo Health. 2021 Mar 3;65(2):225-229. doi: 10.1093/annweh/wxaa078.
In recent years, nail salons have become more abundant than ever. The majority are small businesses, often employing immigrant women. Nail technicians have many exposures at work including chemical, biological, physical, and ergonomic hazards but few data exist on their symptoms or occupational health and safety practices, particularly in the Canadian context. The aim of this study was to learn about nail technicians, their work, and their health and safety practices.
Nail technicians were recruited from nail salons in Toronto, Ontario. Participants completed an anonymous survey with questions about demographics, work tasks, workplace health and safety practices, and symptoms (skin, respiratory, and musculoskeletal).
A total of 155 nail technicians (95% female) participated in the survey. The majority of nail technicians performed manicures (99%) and pedicures (96%) and applied shellac polishes (86%). Only a third (34%) applied acrylic artificial nails. The reported use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was very high; 88% reported using a mask at work and 96% reporting using gloves. The most common symptoms reported by technicians were neck (44%) and back pain (38%). Skin and respiratory symptoms were less common with 6% of technicians reporting cough, 8% wheeze, and 5% a current rash. Technicians working over 30 h per week reported more neck pain (52 vs. 32%, P = 0.02). Technicians who reported using shellac polishes were more likely to report a runny nose (25 vs. 0%, P = 0.01).
Nail technicians in Toronto, Canada are experiencing work-related symptoms. Musculoskeletal symptoms were the most common symptoms reported. Much of the focus on nail salons and health has been on chemical exposures, but ergonomic hazards should not be overlooked. Efforts to increase knowledge and improve occupational health in nail salons should include information on multiple possible workplace hazards and how to reduce impacts of exposure.
近年来，美甲沙龙比以往任何时候都更加普遍。这些美甲沙龙大多是小型企业，经常雇佣移民女性。美甲师在工作中有许多暴露，包括化学、生物、物理和人体工程学危害，但关于他们的症状或职业健康和安全实践的数据很少，特别是在加拿大的情况下。本研究旨在了解美甲师、他们的工作以及他们的健康和安全实践。
从安大略省多伦多的美甲沙龙招募美甲师。参与者完成了一项匿名调查，内容包括人口统计学、工作任务、工作场所健康和安全实践以及症状（皮肤、呼吸和肌肉骨骼）。
共有 155 名美甲师（95%为女性）参与了调查。大多数美甲师从事修指甲（99%）和修脚（96%）以及涂指甲油（86%）。只有三分之一（34%）的美甲师涂了丙烯酸人工指甲。报告的个人防护设备（PPE）使用率非常高；88%的人在工作时戴口罩，96%的人戴手套。报告的技术人员最常见的症状是颈部（44%）和背部疼痛（38%）。皮肤和呼吸症状较少见，有 6%的技术人员报告咳嗽，8%的技术人员报告喘息，5%的技术人员报告当前皮疹。每周工作超过 30 小时的技术人员报告颈部疼痛更多（52%比 32%，P=0.02）。报告使用指甲油的技术人员更有可能出现流鼻涕（25%比 0%，P=0.01）。
在加拿大多伦多的美甲师正在经历与工作相关的症状。肌肉骨骼症状是报告的最常见症状。美甲沙龙和健康的重点大多是化学暴露，但不应忽视人体工程学危害。增加美甲沙龙的知识和改善职业健康的努力应包括有关多种可能的工作场所危害以及如何减少暴露影响的信息。
