Background: Chemical exposures are of high concern for nail salon workers who handle nail care products containing many hazardous compounds including some linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and respiratory problems. In response, the city of San Francisco (SF), California passed a ground-breaking ordinance to establish a voluntary recognition program for salons that use nail care products without certain toxic compounds. For salon recognition, workers must undergo safety training and the salon receives site visits to determine that safer alternative products are being used. Aims: To determine whether nail salons that participate in the SF recognition program have reduced measured levels of toluene, methyl methacrylate, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) as compared to nail salons that do not participate, and to evaluate changes in worker knowledge and behaviors. Methods: We conducted personal air monitoring using passive organic vapor monitors and administered surveys to assess the knowledge and behaviors of two workers per salon (n=22) from each of six nail salons that participated in the SF program (intervention group) and five comparison salons that did not participate. We conducted these assessments with both groups before and after the completion of the training program for the intervention group. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in measured levels of air contaminants between the two groups. Although not significant, there was a reduction in toluene (-46% vs. 0%) and TVOC (-19% vs. +47%) levels in the intervention group as compared to the comparison group, respectively. There was a statistically significant knowledge increase for chemical awareness (+50%) and appropriate glove use to protect against chemicals (+58%) for the intervention group between pre- and post-training surveys. Conclusions: A government-based nail salon recognition program may have some positive impacts on salon air quality and work-related knowledge.
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