Making the Sustainable Choice the Easy Choice
Pauli Ojea, Senior Commercial Toxics Reduction Coordinator at San Francisco Department of the Environment
Pauli Ojea has consistently been working on the leading edge of sustainability policy implementation and behavior change, as part of one of the most forward-acting public agencies in the U.S. Her experience has taught her the importance of making the sustainable choice the easy choice, by eliminating the barriers that get in the way.
She’s developed successful strategies and tactics that promote behavior change on topics such as energy efficiency, zero waste, transportation, and environmental health.
Connect:
https://sfenvironment.org/nail-salons
https://sfenvironment.org/green-businesses
More Info: Pauli mentions the 'Toxic Trio' of common chemicals used in the nail salon industry. These chemicals are: Toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate. OSHA has provided this list of some potentially hazardous chemicals, the types of products they can be found in, and how they can affect a worker:
Acetone (nail polish remover): headaches; dizziness; and irritated eyes, skin, and throat.
Acetonitrile (fingernail glue remover): irritated nose and throat; breathing problems; nausea; vomiting; weakness; and exhaustion.
Butyl acetate (nail polish, nail polish remover): headaches and irritated eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and throat
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), (nail polish): nausea and irritated eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and throat. Long-term exposures to high concentrations may cause other serious effects.
Ethyl acetate (nail polish, nail polish remover, fingernail glue): irritated eyes, stomach, skin, nose, mouth, and throat; high levels can cause fainting.
Ethyl methacrylate (EMA), (artificial nail liquid): asthma; irritated eyes, skin, nose, and mouth; difficulty concentrating. Exposures while pregnant may affect your child.
Formaldehyde (nail polish, nail hardener): difficulty breathing, including coughing, asthma-like attacks, and wheezing; allergic reactions; irritated eyes, skin, and throat. Formaldehyde can cause cancer.
Isopropyl acetate (nail polish, nail polish remover): sleepiness, and irritated eyes, nose, and throat.
Methacrylic acid (nail primer): skin burns and irritated eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and throat. At higher concentrations, this chemical can cause difficulty breathing.
Methyl methacrylate (MMA), (artificial nail products, though banned for use in many states): asthma; irritated eyes, skin, nose, and mouth; difficulty concentrating; loss of smell.
Quaternary ammonium compounds (disinfectants): irritated skin and nose and may cause asthma.
Toluene (nail polish, fingernail glue): dry or cracked skin; headaches, dizziness, and numbness; irritated eyes, nose, throat, and lungs; damage to liver and kidneys; and harm to unborn children during pregnancy.
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