Finally, one of the many doctors who examined Vo diagnosed her problem as an allergy to an acrylic liquid and powder used in the manufacture of artificial nails. He advised her to give up her job immediately at the Encino, California, nail salon where she had been working for two years. But Vo had a family to support, so for the next 13 years she accepted the headaches as part of her life. Even when she changed salons, the nagging symptoms persisted. In October 1999, she was hired at a Beverly Hills salon that doesn't offer services in acrylics, and within a month her headaches disappeared.
Manicurists routinely handle solvents, chemicals, solutions, and glues.
Many of these chemicals are irritants and can cause allergic reactions or affect the central nervous system. Like some other employees who work with chemicals or around dust for a living, many manicurists report nagging problems such as headaches, asthma, chronic cough, dermatitis, runny or dry nose, and fatigue or depression. Because nail products containing a lower percentage of the ingredient aren't subject to the ban, however, concerned salon owners may want to test their products with one of the MMA-detection kits currently on the market. EMA is still commonly used in artificial fingernail products. But hazardous chemicals aren't the only problem.