Santa Monica To Reward Nail Salons For Reducing Toxins
SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) — Nail salon owners and workers in the city of Santa Monica were set Tuesday to launch a partnership aimed at limiting toxic chemicals used in local salons.
KNX 1070's Claudia Peschiutta reports Mayor Pam O'Connor and Mayor Pro Tem Terry O'Day were on hand members of the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative along with Santa Monica's Office of Sustainability and the Environment at the rally.
Santa Monica To Reward Nail Salons For Reducing Toxins
Nail salon workers provide demonstrations for the public on healthier and safer salon practices for manicures, pedicures and other services.
Santa Monica has 30 licensed nail salons and 120 nail technicians out of an estimated 48,000 nail salons statewide, where advocates say nail technicians are prolonged exposure to multiple toxic chemicals while working long hours on a daily basis.
Commonly known as the "Toxic Trio," the most harmful chemicals found in salons are toluene, dibutyl phthalate, and formaldehyde, which can cause cancer, birth defects, and miscarriages.
The Healthy Nail Salon Program will provide free support and trainings for salons that are interested to learn more about the requirements, including choosing safer products, improving ventilation and choosing effective gloves.
Nail salons that join in the voluntary program will receive formal recognition with a certificate, window sticker and a listing on the Santa Monica Green Business website.
"Conscious consumers will be able to find the services they want, salon workers will breathe easier and fewer toxics will enter our environment," City Councilmember Terry O'Day said in a statement.
A survey of over 400 consumers on the Third Street Promenade found that roughly 80 percent support a city program that calls on nail salons to use less toxic products, while 95 percent said they would be more likely to go to a less toxic salon than one that is not.
