Hi, heygetsmart,
thought I'd better mention a few things you might not have heard about.
You really might want to reconsider bringing a fish into a salon...
[URL="http
/www.jabfm.org/cgi/content/full/17/2/136"]http/www.jabfm.org/cgi/content/full/17/2/136[/URL]
... Occupational Chemical Exposure of Hairdressers
A review of the medical literature on the potential occupational exposure of hairdressers reveals that there is a range of chemical hazards in this working environment "many [of] which are either known or suspected allergens, mutagens, and/or carcinogens."19 This job-related exposure has been associated with a number of health concerns, primarily skin disorders,9–12 respiratory conditions,12–16 and cancer.17–19 Although correlation between hairdressing chemicals and neuropsychiatric symptoms has not been documented in the medical literature thus far, it is recognized that neurotoxicants can express themselves in a "plethora of possible endpoints," including neurobehavioral manifestations.20 Depression occurring as a direct result of chemical exposure has been noted in the literature.5 Given that "environmental health problems frequently present as common medical problems,"3 it is crucial that physicians determine whether patients, especially those experiencing otherwise unexplained health problems, are being exposed to potentially hazardous substances and, if chemical exposure is discovered, that action is taken to further evaluate and therapeutically address the problem.
The medical literature indicates that hairdressers are at definitive risk for occupational chemical exposure and that this risk is exacerbated because many work in unventilated spaces21 and the industry is largely unregulated, nonunionized, and composed of small businesses.19 Despite training received through educational programs at community colleges and private training institutions, most hairdressers are not cognizant of their work-related exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals19 and have, therefore, not focused on proactively minimizing contact with these substances. Legislative and intensified preventive measures have been documented as having a positive impact on hairdressers’ occupational skin disease10; it has also been reported that many persons working in this industry simply choose alternate careers when experiencing a wide variety of health complaints, which they assess as being linked to their work environment.9 Because women’s occupational histories are frequently overlooked in medical history-taking,22 it is particularly important that clinicians use a screening tool such as the CH2OPD2 mnemonic to ensure that all aspects of a patient’s potential exposure to environmental contaminants are evaluated. ...
Conclusion
Physicians have reported a low level of knowledge about environmental health issues31; consequently, environmental causes for familiar medical problems are frequently overlooked. In light of the thousands of industrial chemicals present in our environment,23,36 it is important that clinicians move beyond diagnosis of symptoms and, by incorporating environmental exposure assessment into appropriate medical examinations, gather information that may allow the identification of underlying illness causation and effective symptom relief.
Received for publication September 9, 2003. Revision received September 9, 2003.
(URL for news collection from which below article was taken)
[URL="http/www.msdssearch.com/News%20Archive2006.htm"]http/www.msdssearch.com/News%20Archive2006.htm[/URL]
11/1/06
Nearly half of Britain's hairdressers are suffering from a debilitating and career-threatening skin disease brought about by the chemicals used in their trade, health inspectors said last night. They said the condition, dermatitis, is affecting about 50,000 hairdressers and barbers across the UK, due to widespread flouting of safety regulations by salon employers. Staff are contracting dermatitis through regular exposure to products containing large quantities of chemicals, such as peroxides, soaps and shampoos. [Click For More]
(URL for above article, as link doesn't seem to work here)
[URL="http/www.guardian.co.uk/society/2006/nov...dicineandhealth"]http/www.guardian.co.uk/society/2006/nov...dicineandhealth[/URL]
Interestingly enough, after the comments on protective gloves in the above article:
[URL="http/www.dol.govt.nz/publications/resear...dressing_11.asp"]http/www.dol.govt.nz/publications/resear...dressing_11.asp[/URL]
... All suppliers set out to meet the needs of their customers and do not have a safety supervisor role.
Cosmetics supplies purchased by hairdressers from chemists, supermarkets and the Warehouse, are unlikely to have counter staff with safety technical knowledge of the products.
It appears that all suppliers are selling latex gloves to hairdressers that are a poor chemical barrier and can cause dermatitis.
There are products with low toxicity ingredients available on the market.
Safety material is printed on the products and packaging.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for salon hair products were produced and distributed to the salons by the CTFA in July 2003. There is little knowledge of the guide out in the salons. A measure of the transfer of knowledge from the MSD sheets is the lack of knowledge that latex gloves are a poor chemical barrier. The Sheets state not to use latex gloves. ...
[URL="http/unionsafe.labor.net.au/hazards/106014706721942.html"]http/unionsafe.labor.net.au/hazards/106014706721942.html[/URL]
Hairdressing, Nail and Beauty Safety
The hairdressing industry has many hazards these include, hazardous chemicals and substances, risk of infection, dermatitis and R.S.I (Occupational Overuse).
The following fact sheets and checklists have been produced to assist you in identifying and managing the major risks in this industry.
HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS AND SUBSTANCES
Many products used in hairdressing salons are classed as hazardous substances. Some products, such as shampoos, are not classified as "hazardous" but may still cause adverse health effects such as dermatitis.
Workers in the hairdressing, nail and beauty industry may be exposed to a wide range of products containing hazardous substances, ...
I thought you - and maybe your sister - might want to know...
And a betta wouldn't have a choice about dying there.
Edit: The Typo Queen
