Buying an air purifier for nail salons

Nail and beauty salon employees are some of the most highly-exposed professionals when it comes to air pollution. Harmful emissions released by products used in nail salons put both employee and client health at risk. Read on to learn more about how investing in an air purifier for nail salons protects all users of nail salons.

Air pollution exposure in nail salons

Identifying health hazards

Nail and beauty salons are hotbeds for multiple types of harmful air pollution, particularly chemical pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some of the most common chemicals found within a nail salon are as follows:

• Acetone
• Acetonitrile
• Benzene
• Butyl acetate
• Butyl methacrylate
• Dibutyl phthalate
• Ethyl acetate
• Ethyl alcohol
• Ethyl cyanoacrylate
• Ethyl methacrylate
• Formaldehyde
• Isopropyl acetate
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Methacrylic acid
• Methyl ethyl ketone
• Methyl methacrylate
• N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone
• Toluene
• Xylenes¹

There are two factors that typically lead to indoor air pollution in nail salons: 1) the use of polluting treatment products like nail polish, nail polish remover, nail filers, disinfection products, etc.) and 2) inadequate ventilation.

A 2022 study detected between 13 and 31 different airborne chemicals, like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and phthalates, in all 20 of the nail salons that took part in said study, including harmful carcinogens like formaldehyde and benzene. Although a few had two doors and some had one window, many of the nail salons had only one door and no windows, making it very difficult to properly ventilate and remove fumes. Almost all of the salons had carbon dioxide (CO2) levels exceeding 800 ppm, another indicator of insufficient ventilation².

A 2014 study found that VOC concentrations in nail salons were exceedingly high. The average VOC concentration amongst nail salons studied measured 4,800 ppb with the maximum measuring 38,000 ppb. For reference, VOC concentrations in homes typically measure around 337 ppb^3,4.

An additional study in 2018 stated that nail care treatment products are not all sufficiently regulated – country-depending – despite the risk they pose to indoor air quality. Some products, like MMA (methyl methacrylate), have been recognised for their danger but regulations have not been put in place regarding their use, and as a result, they are still widely used throughout most nail salons⁵.

What are the health risks?

Working in a nail salon leads to various harmful impacts on health. As part of one of the aforementioned studies, participants (nail salon employees) experienced:

• Headaches
• Skin, eye, nose, and/or throat irritation
• Breathing difficulties
• Nausea
• Coughing
• Allergic reactions
• Impaired lung function and inflammation
• Musculoskeletal disorders (likely due to posture rather than air pollution)³

Another study in 1994 found a link between occupational air pollution exposure and spontaneous abortions (stillbirths) in nail salon employees⁶.

The above studies all recommend the importance of improving ventilation in nail salons but that air purification systems are a requirement in order to safeguard the health of staff and clientele from nail salon fumes.

Benefits of Eoleaf’s air purifiers for nail salons

Protect employee and customer health

Installing an air purifier in nail and beauty salons is an investment in employee and customer health. A high-quality air purifier, like those on offer at Eoleaf, provides protection from the three main types of air pollution: chemical pollution (including fumes, ozone, VOCs, etc.), fine particle pollution (PM10, PM2.5, and PM0.1), and biological pollution (allergens like dust, dust mites, pollen, pet hair and dander, mould and spores, etc.). Improving indoor air quality with an air purifier helps dramatically reduce air pollution exposure.

Capture and remove unpleasant odours

Some nail salon employees who partook in the above studies claimed that unpleasant odours and fumes in their nail salons caused headaches. Odours emitted from treatment products like nail polish are pungent and disturbing to the users of the space. An air purifier equipped with odour-fighting technologies like activated carbon filtration will help capture and remove airborne odours generated by nail care products and fumes from disinfectants.

Factors to consider when choosing an air purifier for nail salons

HEPA and activated carbon filter

When purchasing an air purifier for nail and beauty salons, it is crucial to invest in a device that will capture and remove all types of pollutants from the air: gaseous pollutants, particulate matter (fine particle pollution), tobacco smoke, pet dander, dust mites, mould spores, and unpleasant odours. All of these substances have an impact on those frequenting nail salons, especially employees who perform nail treatments. For those who are vulnerable to allergies and respiratory conditions like asthma, choosing a device with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA)-certified filter will guarantee the removal of 99.97% of all air pollutant particles down to a size of 0.01 microns in a single pass.

It is important to note that HEPA-certified filters do not remove gaseous pollutants like VOCs or bad odours. This is why we always recommend purchasing a device with multiple air filtration technologies (Eoleaf devices contain 8!). Activated carbon filters combat VOCs and unpleasant odours.

Room size capability

Another important factor to consider when purchasing an air purifier for nail salons is that it is properly sized to your salon. Air purifiers are designed for removing air pollutants and fumes in spaces of a maximum size. In order to ensure that your indoor air is completely filtered, investigate the device you are considering: what is its Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)? How about its Air Changes per Hour (ACH) rating? These metrics are both important in determining how effectively an air purifier will clean the air in your space. Refer to our Buying Guide for more information on all of the factors to keep in mind when purchasing an air purifier.

Invest in your nail salon’s air quality with Eoleaf

Our devices here at Eoleaf offer some of the best filtration technologies on the market. With an Eoleaf air purifier in your nail salon, you can rest assured that both your nail salon’s employees and clients will be protected from the dangers of indoor air pollution. For more information on all the factors to consider before choosing your model, refer to our in-depth Buying Guide. Our indoor air purification experts are also available to answer any questions you may have regarding equipping your nail salon: contact us anytime.

Frequently asked questions

Are air purifiers good for nail salons?

Absolutely. High-quality air purifiers can help protect nail salon employees and clients who are at extremely high risk of exposure to harmful air pollutants that impact their health.

How do you clean the air in a nail salon?

An air purifier cleans the air in a nail salon by pulling in polluted air, treating the air using one or more air filtration technologies, then releasing the air back into the space using a powerful fan. Adequate ventilation is also highly recommended in a nail salon as it helps circulate stagnant, polluted air.

How can I protect myself from nail salon fumes?

An air purifier is highly recommended for removing and absorbing nail salon fumes. For those performing chemical treatments, wearing a mask is also recommended.

What makes nail salons smell?

Nail salon professionals use many different chemical products like nail polish, nail polish remover, nail files, UV treatments, gels, adhesives, and more. All of these products emit odours into the air. Lack of adequate ventilation makes it difficult to properly circulate the air in these spaces.

Do air purifiers cut down on dust?

Yes! Air purifiers that contain HEPA-certified filters, like Eoleaf’s, are guaranteed to remove 99.97% of even the smallest air pollutants (down to 0.01 microns) in a single pass, including nail dust and other allergens.

What are the side effects of nail salon fumes?

Nail salon fume exposure may lead to headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Additionally, nail care products may cause skin, eye, nose, and/or throat irritation. Studies have also linked nail salon fume exposure to additional health effects like cancer and stillbirth.

Are acrylic nail fumes harmful?

Acrylic nail fumes contain a diversity of air pollutants that may be dangerous for your health. Studies have found nail salon fumes to contain upwards of 31 different VOCs and phthalates, including carcinogenic VOCs like formaldehyde and benzene.

Resources

1 Goldin LJ, Ansher L, Berlin A, Cheng J, Kanopkin D, Khazan A, Kisivuli M, Lortie M, Bunker Peterson E, Pohl L, Porter S, Zeng V, Skogstrom T, Fragala MA, Myatt TA, Stewart JH, Allen JG. Indoor air quality survey of nail salons in Boston. J Immigr Minor Health. 2014 Jun;16(3):508-14. doi: 10.1007/s10903-013-9856-y. PMID: 23765035; PMCID: PMC4008780.

2 Han, I., Seo, J. Y., Barr, D. B., Panuwet, P., Yakimavets, V., D’Souza, P. E., An-Han, H., Afshar, M., & Chao, Y.-Y. (2022). Evaluating indoor air phthalates and volatile organic compounds in nail salons in the greater New York City area: A pilot study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(19), 12411. doi:10.3390/ijerph191912411

3 Goldin LJ, Ansher L, Berlin A, Cheng J, Kanopkin D, Khazan A, Kisivuli M, Lortie M, Bunker Peterson E, Pohl L, Porter S, Zeng V, Skogstrom T, Fragala MA, Myatt TA, Stewart JH, Allen JG. Indoor air quality survey of nail salons in Boston. J Immigr Minor Health. 2014 Jun;16(3):508-14. doi: 10.1007/s10903-013-9856-y. PMID: 23765035; PMCID: PMC4008780.

4 Grenga, P. N., Gallagher, M. J., McGahan, M. E., Raymond, D. M., & Priefer, R. (2010). Assessment of airborne total volatile organic compounds of Niagara Falls residences as compared to resident lifestyle. Indoor and Built Environment, 20(2), 226–231. doi:10.1177/1420326x10389277

5 Zhong L, Batterman S, Milando CW. VOC sources and exposures in nail salons: a pilot study in Michigan, USA. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2019 Jan;92(1):141-153. doi: 10.1007/s00420-018-1353-0. Epub 2018 Oct 1. PMID: 30276513; PMCID: PMC6325001.

6 John EM, Savitz DA, Shy CM. Spontaneous abortions among cosmetologists. Epidemiology. 1994 Mar;5(2):147-55. doi: 10.1097/00001648-199403000-00004. PMID: 8172989.