Hairdressers Industry
Article date: 15/10/2004
Solvent warnings for mums-to-be
Nail technicians and hairdressers who come into contact with solvents used in nailcare products while pregnant could adversely affect the learning abilities of their child.
According to a report in The Archives of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine medical journal, researchers in Canada have found that children born to women exposed to the chemicals have lower IQs, greater learning difficulties and are more prone to hyperactivity. The study was carried out on 32 women.
Many hairdressing salons have a nail bar within the main area of the salon so hairdressers, nail technicians and receptionists working in close proximity to such an area could be at risk.
However, chief executive of the Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA), Alan Goldsbro, advised women to be wary of the findings of the report. “It needs to be taken into account that this study had an extremely small research base of only 32 people, so any findings must be treated with caution,” he said.
He added: “However, all businesses have an obligation under health and safety law to comply to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations on solvent emissions. This can be done quite easily through taking simple precautions such as ensuring adequate ventilation, wearing protective clothing or equipment when necessary, using only the minimum amount of solvent necessary, keeping lids on containers, and not leaving solvent-contaminated cloths lying around.”
Harrison’s Hair Team in Ashford, Kent, has a nail bar on the salon floor. Owner Sue Harrison was “shocked” by the findings, but dubious of the size of the research sample. “I would like to see more research carried out, as such a small study isn’t that conclusive and doesn’t prove anything 100 per cent,” she said.
Harrision said that if more research concluded the first study was correct she would stop offering a nail service. “I would never intentionally endanger any members of my team, or my customers,” said Harrison. “But the fact that there are so many in-salon and independent nail bars, and no side effects have been cited before, makes me sceptical about the findings.”