Exposure of manicurists to methyl and ethyl methacrylate used in the formation of artificial fingernails
Creators: name: Bastian, Debora Laine
Publisher: name: University of Utah
Year: 2012
Subjects: Methacrylates
Physiologial Effect
Manicuring
Hygienic Aspects

description: The purpose of this study was to describe father's behaviors with their newborn infants from the time ob birth through an initial interaction period in the newborn nursery.  Verbal and nonverbal behaviors were recorded in chronological order as they happened.  The contact period ended when the fathers left the nursery to return to their wives.  An industrial hygiene study of three nail manicuring salons in the greater Salt Lake area was performed in order to characterize and quantify, by air sampling, the typical personal occupational exposure of manicurists to methyl and ethyl methacrylate, the major constituents of the paint-on artificial fingernails, to nuisance dust, and by use of a self-administered questionnaire, to attempt to identify any adverse health effects associated with exposure to these chemicals.  Personal breathing zone air samples were collected for these substances during the application process and an area sample was collected for nuisance dust during the grinding procedure.  The results of the air sampling were compared to the threshold limit values and permissible exposure limits for these substances.  The measured time-weighted-average concentrations for methyl and ethyl methacrylate ranged from nondetectable to 10% of the current standards and guidelines established as safe concentrations at this time.  The measured time-weighted-average for total dust was ,1% if the standards.  A ventilation survey was conducted at a salon where downdraft-type ventilation was installed in an attemp to reduce dust and odors in the workroom… Measured capture velocities were much lower than those recommended be the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists ventilation manual.  It was also found although air concentrations are not substantially lower in the shop with the local exhaust ventilation system, the system does seem effective in reduction the odors generated during the nail application.  A correlation coefficient was calculated on the ventilation data to determine if a relationship exists between the efficiency of the local exhaust system and the concentration of contaminants in the breathing zone of the manicurists.  A coefficient of .75 was obtained, which indicates an excellent relationship exists between the data obtain from this study.  The self-administered questionnaire contained questions regarding job history, lifestyle, and central nervous system, reproductive, irritation, and respiratory health problems.  The results of the questionnaire indicated that a potential exists for eye, skin, mucosal, and respiratory irritation, and central nervous system toxicity, even at very low concentrations.  A correlation coefficient was calculated to determine if a relationship exists between the number of adverse systems experience by manicurists and the concentrations of contaminants obtained during personal air sampling.  A correlation coefficient of 0.47 was obtained, indicating a fair relationship exist between the data obtained from the questionnaire.  The results obtained from this study may warrant further toxicological and industrial hygiene studies regarding the adverse health effects associated with chronic low-level exposures.