Awareness on cosmetic-related health hazards and measures to address them among service providers of beauty salons.

Background: Cosmetic products may contain ingredients whose safety is not certain with several instances of death and anaphylaxis due to service/cosmetic usage in beauty salons. With the mushrooming of beauty salons and with a large consumer base, there is a dearth in the literature to assess the awareness of the health hazards among the employees. This study aims to measure the awareness levels on health hazards and their emergency management among employees working in beauty salons in Coimbatore. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study using a semi-structured questionnaire, after Institutional Human Ethics Committee (IHEC) approval, was conducted*** to assess the awareness of the health hazards including emergency management among employees of beauty salons. The sample size was estimated to be 160. All the workers working in unisex beauty salons, selected by convenience sampling within 5 km radius of PSG IMS and R, were assessed based on their awareness toward cosmetics and the data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24 (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 24.0. Armonk, NY). Results: Around 160 service providers of beauty salons participated in the study, among which 84% use several cosmetic products. Only 40% are aware of the health impacts and 21.3% are aware about the side effects which included rashes and itching associated with the products used for bleaching. Only 36.9% knew about the regulations for usage of cosmetic products and 30% knew that there is a governing body for the same. Conclusion: Awareness of health hazards and its emergency management is less among the workers; the literacy programs to improve the awareness on use of cosmetics is the need of the hour.

BTEX in indoor air of barbershops and beauty salons: Characterization, source apportionment and health risk assessment.

BACKGROUND: Volatile organic compounds, mainly BTEX, are among the pollutants of concern in beauty salons and barbershops that threaten both staff personnel and clients' health. This study aimed to determine the concentration of BTEX in barbershops and beauty salons and assess the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks based on the actual risk coefficients. Also, possible sources of BTEX were determined. METHOD: Samples were collected by passive sampling. Quantitative and qualitative measurements of BTEX compounds were performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MASS). Subsequently, the health risks were assessed according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. SPSS24 software and positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis were used for statistical analysis and source apportionment respectively. RESULTS: Toluene is the most abundant compound in beauty salons, with a maximum concentration of 219.4 (µg/m3) in beauty salons. Results indicated that the mean ELCR value estimated for benzene regarding female staff exposure (1.04 × 10-5) was higher than that for men (4.05 × 10-6). Also, ELCR values of ethylbenzene for staff exposure were 2.08 × 10-6 and 3.8 × 10-6 for men and women, respectively, and possess possible carcinogenesis risks. CONCLUSION: Use of solvents and cosmetic products, improper heating systems, and type of service are the sources that probably contribute to BTEX emissions in beauty salons. It is necessary to follow health guidelines and conduct continuous monitoring for their implementation, in addition to setting a mandated occupational regulation framework or air quality requirements, to improve the health conditions in beauty salons.

Awareness, Perception, and Utilization of Skin Lightening Agents Among Females of Asmara, Eritrea: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The use of skin lightening agents (SLAs) is common among African females with black skin color. Although they usually contain harmful ingredients and can cause complications, their use remains to be a common practice. This study was conducted to assess the awareness, perception, and utilization of SLAs among females residing in Asmara, Eritrea. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study using a quantitative approach was conducted in representative samples of all beauty salons available in Asmara from May to July, 2021. The study participants were selected using two-stage stratified cluster sampling and data were collected through a face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression, at bivariate and multivariate level, were performed. Results: The study enrolled 721 females and 684 completed the study. The majority of the respondents had the perception that SLAs can make someone light colored (84.4%), look beautiful (67.8%), trendy and fashionable (55.0%), and white skin is more attractive than dark skin (58.8%). About two-thirds (64.2%) reported they had previously used SLAs, mainly influenced by friends (60.5%). Approximately 46% were current users, while 53.6% stopped it mainly due to adverse effects, fear of adverse effects and ineffectiveness. A total of 150 products including natural ingredients were mentioned being used to lighten the skin, and Aneeza, Natural face, and Betamethasone containing brands were among the top used products. The occurrence of at least one adverse effect due to the use of SLAs was 43.7%, while 66.5% were satisfied with the use of SLAs. Additionally, employment status and perception of SLAs were found to be determinants of being a current user. Conclusion: Utilization of SLAs, including products containing harmful or medicinal ingredients, was prevalent among the females of Asmara city. Thus, coordinated regulatory interventions are recommended to tackle unsafe practices and raise public awareness to promote the safe use of cosmetics.

Urinary levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in female beauticians and their association with urinary biomarkers of oxidative stress/inflammation and kidney injury.

The present research was aimed to assess the urinary levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in female beauticians and its correlation with oxidative stress/inflammation and kidney injury. To this end, the urine samples were collected from 50 female beauticians from beauty salons (exposed group) and 35 housewives (control group), and then, the level of PTEs was determined. The mean levels of the sum of urinary PTEs (∑PTEs) biomarkers in before and after exposure and control group were 83.55, 114.27 and 13.61 µg/L, respectively. Results also showed that the urinary level of PTEs biomarkers is significantly higher in women occupationally exposed to cosmetics compared to control group. The urinary levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr) biomarkers have high correlation coefficients with early oxidative stress effects such as 8-Hydroxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 8-isoprostane and Malondialdehyde (MDA). Moreover, As and Cd biomarker levels were positively and significantly associated with kidney damages such as urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (uKIM-1) and tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase 1 (uTIMP-1) (P < 0.01). Therefore, women who working in beauty salons can probably be categorized as high - exposure and high-risk workers in terms of DNA oxidative and kidney damages.

Exposure to Respirable Particulate Matter and Its Association with Respiratory Outcomes in Beauty Salon Personnel.

We aimed to assess exposure to respirable particulate matter (PM) of beauty salon personnel, identify its determinants and ascertain the associated respiratory effects. We collected 122 full-day respirable PM samples from 12 beauty salons (floor area ranging from 24 to 550 m3, staff from 4 to 8) in Almaty, Kazakhstan, taking 10 samples from each place using a portable SidePak AM520 monitor. We also assessed lifestyle (smoking, etc.), respiratory symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQL) of the personnel using questionnaires. Out of 11,831 5-min data points, daily median respirable PM concentrations were highly variable and ranged from 0.013 to 0.666 mg/m3 with 8.5-times difference in the median concentrations between the venue with the highest median (0.29 mg/m3) and the least median (0.034 mg/m3). In a multivariate linear regression modelling, ambient PM2.5 concentration was the strongest predictor of daily median respirable PM concentration (beta 2.12; 95% CI 1.89; 2.39), and R2 of the model was 0.63. We also found a positive association of the median respirable PM with respiratory symptoms and seasonal allergy, but not with HRQL. Short-term respirable PM levels in the beauty salons may be very high, but the median concentrations are mainly determined by the ambient air pollution.

Exposure characteristics of common chemical pollutants and health risk assessment in indoor air of barber shops and beauty salons in Liaocheng City / 环境与职业医学

Background The presence of formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, toluene, and xylene in indoor air of public places has been confirmed to cause health damage. The employees of barber and beauty shops are exposed to relatively enclosed space for a long time, and could surfer more serious health risks from indoor air chemical pollutants. Objective To analyze the concentrations of common indoor air chemical pollutants in barber shops and beauty salons in Liaocheng City, and explore potential health risks of the pollutants for employees. Methods Using a stratified randomized sampling method, 8 to 10 barber shops and 5 to 10 beauty salons were selected in the main urban area of Liaocheng City to conduct monitoring of the sanitary conditions of public places in winter and summer every year from 2016 to 2021; the indoor air concentrations of formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, toluene, and xylene in the selected sites were measured, and a questionnaire survey was conducted to collect exposure characteristics of indoor pollutants. The concentration distributions of the five chemical pollutants were obtained from the monitoring data for 6 consecutive years, and the health risk assessment model recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was used to perform health risk assessment of inhalation exposure. Results In 2016–2021, the median indoor air concentrations of formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, toluene, and xylene in the two types of sites were lower than the limits of Hygienic Indicators and Limits for Public Places (GB 37488-2019), but the concentrations of some monitoring sites were higher than the limits. The disqualification rates of the five pollutants in the barber shops were 16.8%, 2.7%, 2.4%, 6.4%, and 12.0%, respectively. The disqualification rate of formaldehyde was the highest in all pollutants (22.0%), while the disqualification rates of ammonia, toluene, and xylene were 1.3%, 2.0%, and 2.0% in beauty salons respectively. Both formaldehyde and benzene were found to have carcinogenic risks (CR) in the two types of public places. Both median values of CR were greater than 1.0×10−6, and both maximum values were greater than 1.0×10−4. Formaldehyde had the highest non-carcinogenic risk in the indoor air of barber shops and beauty salons. The median non-carcinogenic hazard quotients (HQ) of formaldehyde were both greater than 1, and the maximum values were 16.72 and 12.19 times of the standard value; ammonia and toluene had the lowest non-carcinogenic risks, and their maximum values of HQ were less than 1; the median HQs of benzene and xylene were far less than 1, but their maximum risk values of barber shop were greater than 1. Conclusion For the sake of worker's health, formaldehyde and benzene should be the indoor air pollutant control priority for barber shops and beauty salons in Liaocheng; formaldehyde poses the most serious health hazard to practitioners and should be given high attention and necessary measures to reduce the hazard; benzene poses certain carcinogenic risks, with some of its highest values exceeding 10−4, which is higher than the recommended safety threshold.

Awareness and safe practices of Hepatitis-B and C prevention and transmission among workers of women beauty salons.

Background & Objectives: Hepatitis-B and C is currently a major health problem all over the world including Pakistan. All beauty treatments including manicures are used by many people and can be a risk factor because of sharing of contaminated instruments. Proper sterilization needs to be achieved by an autoclave. Our study was conducted to know the awareness and safe practices of Hepatitis-B and C prevention and transmission by beauty salon workers in Karachi. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study performed from February 2021- July 2021 among workers of women's beauty salons across Karachi. Validated questioners were distributed and were filled in the presence of research worker. Data was compiled and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Workers who scored ≥ 70% were considered to have adequate knowledge. Results: Our results showed that out of 261 participants, 240 (92.3%) were females. 49(18.8%) had adequate knowledge about hepatitis-B, 63(24.1%) had adequate knowledge about hepatitis-C. 111(42.5%) had adequate practices. According to the independent T test, there was statistically significant relationship between family history of hepatitis-B and knowledge of Hepatitis-B (p=0.022), hepatitis-B vaccination and knowledge of Hepatitis-B (p=0.006). We also found significant relationship between family history of hepatitis-C and knowledge of hepatitis-C (p=0.019), also between previous blood test performed for hepatitis antibodies and knowledge about hepatitis-B and C. On Uni-Variate logistic regression we found that males participants are less likely to have adequate Hepatitis-C knowledge in comparison of female participants (OR=0.152). We also found that participants who have Hepatitis-B family history, have more likely to have adequate Hepatitis-C knowledge (OR=1.874) and males participants are less likely to have adequate Hepatitis-B knowledge in comparison of female participants (OR=0.212). Only 45(17.2%) workers were fully vaccinated with Hepatitis-B and 126(48.3%) had knowledge of adequate sterilization technique of equipment's. Conclusion: This study showed that overall awareness among workers of women beauty salon in Karachi about Hepatitis-B and C is inadequate with low vaccination rates. There is dire need to organize awareness programs with mass vaccination campaigns for safe practices and to curb viral transmission.

TD-GC/MS analysis of indoor air pollutants (VOCs, PM) in hair salons.

Hairdressing personnel is daily exposed to various chemical air pollutants, and specifically to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Particulate Matter (PM) in hair salons. This is of concern, due to the hazardous effects of these chemicals on the individual's health. Nevertheless, a limited exposure assessment of indoor air quality (IAQ) has been performed. The aim of this study was to analyze the indoor air in 5 hair salons, to assess the IAQ of the occupational exposure, and to identify the main VOCs produced or activities responsible for the respective indoor pollution. The chemical analysis took place inside the salon environment by monitoring the emitted VOCs, as well as the PM of 1, 2.5, 4, and 10 µm aerodynamic diameter. The sampling of VOCs was performed by adsorption of pollutants on Tenax TA sorbent tubes, that were subsequently analyzed using a thermal desorption unit coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS). The obtained results showed that hair products are a major source of air pollutants, as elevated concentrations of VOCs and PM are released in the working environment. Furthermore, the type and concentration of VOCs are affected by the various hair treatment activities taking place in the salons. Among the main compounds detected there was benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes, known as BTEX, as well as, diethyl phthalate, 1,4-dioxane, etc. More than 50 VOCs were identified (occurrence ≥60%) and 14 of them were quantified. Their average concentration levels varied from 12 µg m-3 for naphthalene to 941 µg m-3 for toluene. The measuring levels for PM revealed violations of the EPA and WHO international standards for permissible limit concentrations; this was the case in all hair treatment activities but mostly during keratin treatment. Hence, much more effort is needed to reduce the respective concentration levels of PM and VOCs, that contribute to self-reported health problems.

Exposición química y síntomas dérmicos y respiratorios en estilistas del sector informal de Palmira 2020 / Chemical exposure and dermal and respiratory symptoms in hairstylists in the informal sector in Palmira 2020

Introducción: Los productos cosméticos utilizados en los tratamientos de belleza contienen diferentes sustancias químicas toxicas irritantes y cancerígenas como el formaldehido, clasificado por la Agencia Internacional de Investigación sobre el Cáncer IARC (siglas en inglés) como tipo 2, probablemente cancerígeno en humanos (1) ; y el amoniaco también clasificado como cancerígeno por el Instituto Nacional para la Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional NIOSH (2) (siglas en inglés) , los cuales pueden ingresar al organismo por inhalación, vía oral, contacto en globo ocular y contacto con la piel produciendo diferentes síntomas clínicos en los estilistas. Objetivo: Identificar la exposición química y los síntomas relacionados en estilistas del sector informal del municipio de Palmira Colombia. Método: Se evaluaron las características de la población con una encuesta sociodemográfica de elaboración propia, las características de exposición química en los salones de belleza con el cuestionario de evaluación cualitativa Stoffenmanager, y los síntomas en la piel, mucosa ocular y vía aérea superior de los estilistas con el cuestionario nórdico de enfermedades cutáneas de origen profesional NOSQ-2002/SHORT. Las peluquerías fueron seleccionadas al azar de un universo de 35 peluquerías clasificadas según el número de trabajadores. Resultados: Las condiciones de exposición a químicos se evaluaron en 12 peluquerías, la exposición por inhalación fue alta en el proceso de alisado; la exposición dérmica por contacto fue alta en el alisado y en la coloración , y fue muy alta en la decoloración; la exposición dérmica por absorción fue alta en la coloración y muy alta en el alisado y la decoloración. Los síntomas dérmicos y respiratorios se evaluaron en 64 estilistas, encontrando síntomas dérmicos en el 51,6 % , y síntomas respiratorios en el 60,9 %. (AU)

Introduction: Cosmetic products used in beauty treatments contain different irritating toxic chemicals and carcinogens such as formaldehyde, classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer I.A.R.C. as type 2, probably carcinogenic in humans(1); and ammonia also classified as carcinogenic by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH(2), which can enter the body through inhalation, oral route, eye contact and skin contact producing different clinical symptoms in stylists. Objective: To identify chemical exposure and related symptoms in hairdressers in the informal sector in Palmira, Colombia. Method: The characteristics of the population were assessed with a self-made sociodemographic survey, the characteristics of chemical exposure in the salons with the Stoffenmanager qualitative assessment questionnaire, and the symptoms in the skin, ocular mucosa and upper airway of the hairdressers with the Nordic questionnaire of occupational skin diseases NOSQ-2002/SHORT. The hairdressers were randomly selected from a universe of 35 hairdressers classified into three strata according to the number of workers. Results: Chemical exposure conditions were evaluated in 12 hairdressers, finding that inhalation exposure was high in the straightening process; dermal contact exposure was high in straightening and coloring, and very high in bleaching; dermal exposure by absorption was high for coloring and very high for smoothing and bleaching. Dermal and respiratory symptoms were evaluated in 64 stylists, finding dermal symptoms in 51.6%, and respiratory symptoms in 60.9%. (AU)

"I Like it Clean": Brazilian Waxing and Postfeminist Subjectivity Among South Asian Beauticians in London.

Postfeminism is a neoliberal sensibility that locates femininity in the body, thereby imploring women to constantly labor on, monitor and discipline their bodies. This aesthetic labor is presented to women as freely chosen and empowering. Brazilian waxing is exemplary aesthetic labor directed at the self. Academic literature on aesthetic labor in general, and Brazilian waxing in particular, looks at white and middle-class women, as this category of women is considered the putative subject of postfeminism. Little attention is paid to racialized women from the global south who perform aesthetic labor on other women's bodies in the global north. In this paper, I draw on my ethnographic study of two beauty salons in London run by South Asian women to argue that these South Asian beauticians are postfeminist subjects as well. The aim of challenging the putative subject of postfeminism, using the example of Brazilian waxing, is not merely to include South Asian women in the discourse, but to advance a transnational theorization of postfeminism. Such theorization, I demonstrate, leads to a better understanding of how postfeminism is implicated in global structures of power as well as the affective qualities of postfeminism including intimacy and disgust.

Beauty Salons are Key Potential Sources of Disease Spread.

Beauty salons can do marvel prettiness for their customers; however, they are also considered as major health concern. They are a reason for the spread of viral, fungal and bacterial diseases. Many research isolated pathogenic bacteria and fungi from beauty salons products and tools. In this review we aim to increase the public's awareness of the potential for disease transmission through the common tools and products used in beauty salons. Furthermore, heighten salons' standards of care in sterilizing beauty tools and products and storing them properly.

Non-Combustible Source Indoor Air Pollutants Concentration in Beauty Salons and Associated Self-Reported Health Problems Among the Beauty Salon Workers.

BACKGROUND: Cosmetic products emits Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC) and Particulate Matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 micrometers (PM10) of different sizes and characteristics with adverse health effects. Despite the increasing need for cosmetic products, related pollutants level of concentration from beauty salon is not well understood in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess indoor air pollutant concentrations in the beauty salon and self-reported health problems among the salon workers in Jimma town. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used on 87 beauty salons from May 13-24, 2019. The concentrations of PM10, TVOCs, CO2, room temperature, and relative humidity were measured and triangulated with the survey data collected through measurements and questionnaires. A statistical software package, SPSS v.21, was used to analyze the data. A binary logistic regression was used to analyze categorical data and linear regressions to predict pollutants level and associated health outcomes. RESULTS: The results show that 93.1% of the respondents are females, and 85% were below 30 years old. More than 60% of the respondents were married individuals. 56.3% and 44.8% of the workers work over 10 hours per day and work the whole week. 34.6% of the workers reported as worked during pregnancy. About 70% of the workers know the harmful effects of cosmetics, benefits of ventilation, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use, but only 19.4% use face masks. The majority (88.5%) reported health problems after starting work in the beauty salon. The mean volume of the beauty salon was 36.3 m3, with a mean PM10 concentration of 0.465 mg/m3 and a mean TVOC concentration of 1034.2 µg/m3. These air pollutants have shown a statistically significant association with self-reported health problems. Hence, urgent intervention with subsequent continuous awareness creation is needed to reduce the health consequences of a beauty salon's indoor air pollutants.

Salão parceiro na prática: submissão ou autonomia? / salão parceiro en la práctica: ¿sumisión o autonomía? / Beauty salon partner in practice: submission or autonomy?

Resumo A Lei do Salão Parceiro em 2016 foi aprovada sob o discurso da flexibilização e formalização do trabalho autônomo; entretanto, o processo de pejotização dos trabalhadores tem sido um de seus efeitos e estudado sob o olhar da precarização do trabalho. A presente pesquisa objetivou caracterizar a percepção de manicures e cabeleireiras(os) acerca de suas experiências de trabalho e confrontá-la com os argumentos presentes na proposição da lei. Para isso, realizamos entrevistas semiestruturadas com 11 cabeleireiras(os) e manicures e aplicamos análise hermenêutica-dialética. Os resultados indicaram três unidades de sentido: Caracterização mercadológica e ocupacional; Tradições trabalhistas no setor de beleza; e Realidade após a Lei do Salão Parceiro. Elas apontaram a ausência de uma autonomia real na mudança e no exercício da atividade como parceiro do salão de beleza e a desinformação acerca da figura jurídica do microempreendedor individual.

Resumen La Lei do Salão Parceiro, de 2016, fue aprobada bajo el discurso de la flexibilización y formalización del trabajo autónomo; sin embargo, el proceso de pejotização (prestador de servicios legal) ha sido uno de sus efectos y, estudiado bajo la mirada de la precarización del trabajo. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo caracterizar la percepción de manicuras y peluqueras(os) sobre sus experiencias laborales y confrontarla con los argumentos presentes en la proposición de la ley. Para esto, realizamos entrevistas semiestructuradas con 11 peluqueras(os) y manicuras y aplicamos el análisis hermenéutico-dialéctico. Los resultados indicaron tres unidades de sentido: Caracterización mercadológica y ocupacional; Tradiciones laborales en el sector de belleza; y Realidad posterior a la Lei do Salão Parceiro. Ellas señalaron la ausencia de una autonomía real en el cambio y en el ejercicio de la actividad como "colaborador" del salón de belleza y desinformación sobre la figura legal del microemprendedor individual.

Abstract The Lei do Salão Parceiro (Salon Partner Law) was approved in 2016 under speeches of flexibilization and formalization of autonomous work. However, the pejotização of workers has been one of its effects and it has been studied as work precariousness. This research aimed to characterize the perception of manicurists and hairdressers on their work experiences, and to confront it with the arguments present in the law proposal. For this, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 hairdressers and manicurists, and applied hermeneutic-dialectical analysis. The results indicated three meaning units: Marketing and occupational characterization; Labor traditions in the beauty sector; and Reality after the Lei do Salão Parceiro. They pointed to the absence of a real autonomy in the transition and in the work practice as beauty salon partner, and to the misinformation about the legal figure of the individual microentrepreneur.

Assessment of the autoxidation mechanism of p-toluenediamine by air and hydrogen peroxide and determination of mutagenic environmental contaminant in beauty salon effluent.

The present work investigated the autoxidation reaction of p-toluenediamine (PTD) - a precursor - widely used in permanent hair dyeing formulation, under experimental conditions close to the hair dyeing process (oxygen and/or peroxide in ammoniacal medium), by chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. In additional, evaluated the mutagenicity of the PTD oxidation products and the presence of PTD and this products in wastewater from beauty salon, as well as in surface water and drinking water using HPLC coupled to a diode array detector and linear scan voltammetry. Through this study, it was possible the identification of semi-quinonediimine, quinonediimine, dimers (derived from toluenediamine), and trimer radical identified as Bandrowski's Base derivative (BBD) formed during autoxidation of PTD. Salmonella Typhimurium YG1041 assay with and without metabolic activation induced rat-liver (S9) indicated mutagenic activity for BBD. Levels of PTD were determined by the standard addition method in samples collected from the wastewater of a beauty salon, as well as from the water before and after treatment in a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) reached concentrations of 2.08 ±â€¯0.21, 2.36 ±â€¯0.10 × 10-3, and 1.77 ±â€¯0.13 × 10-3 mg L-1, respectively. In addition, linear sweep voltammetry was used to monitor the BBD found at the concentration of 1.59 ±â€¯0.35 mg L-1 in wastewater collected from the beauty salon.

[Selected risk factors for occupational exposures to blood-borne pathogens in cosmetics salons]. / Wybrane czynniki ryzyka ekspozycji zawodowych na patogeny krwiopochodne w salonach kosmetologicznych.

BACKGROUND: Services offered in the esthetic/beauty industry poses the risk of blood-borne infections (BBIs) due to carrying out invasive procedures. The study objective: was to assess the number of sharps injuries, occupational risk factors, and preventive methods used among cosmetologists. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The anonymous survey was conducted (February-April 2017) in randomly selected beauty/esthetic medicine clinics in Szczecin, Poland; 96 cosmetologists were invited. RESULTS: Eighty cosmetologists (83.3%), responded. The mean age of the group was 25 years (range: 20-60 years). The majority of the respondents (95%) used sharps while at work, 41.3% had suffered at least one sharps injury during their occupational career. Clippers were the most common injury-causing instrument (39.4%), and manicure/pedicure was the most common injury-causing procedure (51.5%); 84.8% of injuries were not reported. The number of injuries was associated with age (34.9% in the group of 20-29 years old respondents vs. 64.7% in respondents ≥ 30 years old, p = 0.05), work experience (32.6% in the respondents working for 1-3 years vs. 68.8%, in those working ≥ 7 years, p = 0.03), and working hours/week (28.9% in those working ≤ 40 h vs. 57.1% of those working > 40 h, p = 0.02). Needle recapping was reported by 47.5% of respondents, 13.8% did not dispose used needles into a container, 17.5% did not routinely use gloves. CONCLUSIONS: Cosmetologists are at risk of sharps injuries. Inconsistent use of preventive methods and failure to report incidents may result in contracting BBIs. There is a need to implement education and intervention measures to prevent occupational injuries, particularly with regard to cosmetologists aged over 30 years, with a longer professional experience, working over 40 h/week. Med Pr 2018;69(3):281-290.

Acceptability of a Salon-Based Intervention to Promote Colonoscopy Screening Among African American Women.

African American women have the highest colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates among women of any race/ethnicity in the United States. Colonoscopy screening is an efficacious procedure for the prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer, making it a promising tool in the effort to eliminate colorectal cancer disparities. Toward that end, the present qualitative study sought to assess acceptability of and preferences for a beauty salon-based intervention to promote colonoscopy screening among African American women. A total of 11 focus groups were conducted: 6 with staff from African American-serving salons ( n = 3 with salon owners, n = 3 with salon stylists) and 5 with African American salon clients. Theory-guided focus group questions were used to explore participants' beliefs, interests, and preferences associated with the proposed intervention. Results indicated that, across all subgroups, participants were highly supportive of the idea of a salon-based intervention to promote colonoscopy screening among African American women, citing reasons such as the commonplace nature of health discussions in salons and the belief that, with proper training, stylists could effectively deliver colorectal cancer-related health information to their clients. The greatest differences between salon staff and clients were found with respect to the specifics of the intervention. Staff focused more heavily on content-related issues, such as the specific information that should be stressed in the intervention, whereas clients focused largely on process-related issues, such as the preferred intervention formats and how stylists should present themselves to clients. The findings from this study offer both encouragement and important groundwork for the development of a salon-based, stylist-delivered intervention to promote colonoscopy screening among African American women.

Characterization of Beauty Salon Wastewater from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, and Its Surrounding Communities.

Due to the increase in students' population over the years, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana, and its surrounding communities have seen an increase in the number of beauty salons. The assessment of the quality of salon wastewater has received little attention, as a potential source of environmental and public health hazard, due to the lack of literature on this issue. The main aim of this study is to assess wastewater effluent characteristics in KNUST and its surrounding areas, in relation to its physicochemical and microbial parameters. A total of 48 wastewater samples were collected monthly in 250 L polystyrene bottles, over a two-month period from the KNUST and Ayigya, Ayeduase, and Bomso communities. Standard methods of American Public Health Association (APHA, 19th edition) were employed in the determination of the physicochemical parameters and microbial content of the wastewater samples. The results showed that all the sampling towns had mean chemical oxygen demand (COD; 60.04 ± 1.82 mg/L), biological oxygen demand (BOD; 30.03 ± 9.11 mg/L), dissolved oxygen (DO; 3.00 ± 0.53 mg/L), pH (9.55 ± 0.42), nitrate (5.42 ± 0.36 mg/L), phosphate (23.61 ± 0.16 mg/L), acidity (1.70 ± 0.01 mg/L), alkalinity (70.88 ± 2.59 mg/L), turbidity (20.29 ± 3.86 NTU), electrical conductivity (EC; 1404.89 ± 114.11 µm/S), and total dissolved solids (TDS; 1150.25 ± 262.10 mg/L) in the salon waste. In the case of bacterial levels, pathogenic bacteria such as fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, and Salmonella enterica were absent, while the levels of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa did not pose any health risk. The correlation matrix showed a significant positive correlation between and among pH, alkalinity, TDS, and turbidity (P < 0.05). The results revealed that the wastewater collected from the salon effluents contain pollution indicator parameters such as EC, pH, PO4 (3-), BOD, and turbidity, considerably higher than the tolerance limits recommended by the World Health Organization. The principal component analysis indicated that pH, alkalinity, acidity, COD, PO4 (3-), S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, turbidity, TDS, EC, DO, and BOD were the most influential parameters to wastewater variations. Based on these characteristics, a call for a regular and persistent monitoring strategy by the relevant authorities is significant to ensure best practices with respect to the discharge of salon wastewater into the environment.

Adesão dos profsssionais às normas de biossegurnça aplicadas aos procedimentoss de manicure e pedicure em Juazeiro do Norte/CE / Adhesion of professionals to the bio-safety standards applied to the procedures for manicure and pedicure in Juazeiro do Norte/CE

O crescimento do mercado da beleza tem despertado a preocupação dos profissionais e clientes dos salões de beleza com a questão da biossegurança na prestação de serviços nestes locais. Os salões de beleza caracterizam-se como um ambiente de risco de contaminação por microrganismos por tratar-se de um local onde há uma grande rotatividade de pessoas e também por acontecer, rotineiramente, o uso compartilhado de artigos perfurocortantes. A pesquisa foi realizada com 100 profissionais da cidade, distribuídos em 15 bairros, divididos em quatro macro regiões de Juazeiro do Norte-CE e objetivou-se descrever a adesão dos profissionais às normas de biossegurança aplicadas aos procedimentos de manicure e pedicure nos salões de beleza. Conclui-se que há baixa adesão dos profissionais e desinformação em relação às normas de biossegurança.

The development of the beauty market has aroused the concern of professional and customer of beauty salons with the question of bio-safety in providing services in these places. The beauty salons can be considered places of risk of contamination by microorganisms because they are spaces where there is high turnover of people and by the shared use of sharp items. This research was made with 100 city workers, distributed in 15 districts, divided into four macro regions of Juazeiro do Norte-CE and aimed to describe the adherence of professionals to the bio-security standards applied to manicure and pedicure procedures in beauty salons. It is possible to conclude that there is low adhesion of beauty professionals and misinformation in relation to the bio-safety standards.