NYC P.A. James to Release Report on Improving Nail Salon Safety

By David Shankbone, Flickr

On Monday, New York City Public Advocate Letitia James will release a report at City Hall that says some of those chemicals found at nail salons can be deadly.

Toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate -- known as “the toxic trio” -- are found in many nail products, and they have been linked with reproductive harm, respiratory problems, and cancer, James said in a release.

Generally, there is little-to-no information given to workers, many of whom are recent immigrants, regarding protecting themselves from the chemicals they may regularly come into contact with at nail salons.

At least one report found that “the intensity of exposure for salon workers is 1,200 times what it would be for the average American”.

Though there are almost 5,000 salons throughout New York State, there are only 27 inspectors statewide.

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