(Image source from: duluthnewstribune.com)

Bay Area:
Lan Anh Truong, an employee at a nail salon for years started experiencing unusual symptoms such as frequent headaches, cough and itchy eyes and even losing consciousness at her work place.

After noticing the similar symptoms and health issues of other salon workers that could be related to the products those are everyday used. Truong is one of the first to join a thriving movement to bring down exposure to hazardous chemicals in salons.

The Environmental Justice Right to Know Act. Was introduced by Kamala Harris, Junior Senator California. Democrat, and Catherine Cortez Masto, Nevada Democratic Senator to make salons safer for working women in salons.

"The ultimate solution is that manufacturers need to have healthy products," said Julia Liou, chief deputy of administration for Asian Health Services and director of the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative.

California and Bay Area have already taken an action to implement programs to certify healthy nail salons with safer products and decently ventilate their places, following the lead of Alameda, San Fransico, San Manteo and Satnta Clara.

Leann’s Nails in Alameda was among the first in East Bay to be recognized and get rid of nail polish removers that use ethyl and butyl acetate. A ventilation and leaving the salon door open during nail services is a way to get rid of symptoms and further health issues.

A customer who was getting pedicure done at Leann’s in Alameda said, “Convenience and cleanliness are among the qualities she seeks in a salon, but it's a definite plus if the salon is recognized as healthy.”

By Sowmya Sangam