Occupational Exposure of Hairdressers to Airborne Hazardous Chemicals: A Scoping Review

Sanja Kezic, Roberto Nunez, Željka Babić, Sarah Hallmann, Martin S. Havmose, Jeanne D. Johansen, Swen M. John, Marija Macan, Cara Symanzik, Wolfgang Uter, Patricia Weinert, Rajka Turk, Jelena Macan and Henk F. van der Molen
Additional contact information
Sanja Kezic: Amsterdam UMC, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Roberto Nunez: Amsterdam UMC, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Željka Babić: Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, HR 10001 Zagreb, Croatia
Sarah Hallmann: Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
Martin S. Havmose: National Allergy Research Centre, Department of Skin and Allergy, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospital, 2900 Copenhagen, Denmark
Jeanne D. Johansen: National Allergy Research Centre, Department of Skin and Allergy, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospital, 2900 Copenhagen, Denmark
Swen M. John: Department of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine and Health Theory, Osnabrück University, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
Marija Macan: Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, HR 10001 Zagreb, Croatia
Cara Symanzik: Department of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine and Health Theory, Osnabrück University, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
Wolfgang Uter: Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
Patricia Weinert: Institute for Interdisciplinary Dermatological Prevention and Rehabilitation (iDerm), Osnabrück University, 10777 Berlin, Germany
Rajka Turk: Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, HR 10001 Zagreb, Croatia
Jelena Macan: Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, HR 10001 Zagreb, Croatia
Henk F. van der Molen: Amsterdam UMC, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-20

Abstract: Introduction: Exposure to hazardous chemicals released during hairdressing activities from hair care products puts hairdressers at risk of adverse health effects. Safety assessments of hair products are mainly focused on consumers, but exposure for professional hairdressers might be substantially higher. Objective: To identify and assess available research data on inhalation exposures of professional hairdressers. Methods: A systematic search of studies between 1 January 2000 and 30 April 2021 was performed in Medline, Embase, Web of Science and in Cochrane registry, toxicological dossiers of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European Commission as well as the German MAK Commission. Studies reporting quantitative data on airborne concentrations of chemicals in the hairdresser’s workplace were considered. The outcome was an airborne concentration of chemicals in the working environment, which was compared, when possible, with current occupational exposure limits (OEL) or guidance levels. Results: In total, 23 studies performed in 14 countries were included. The average number of hairdressing salons per study was 22 (range 1–62). Chemicals most frequently measured were formaldehyde ( n = 8), ammonia ( n = 5), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) ( n = 5), and toluene ( n = 4). More than fifty other chemicals were measured in one to three studies, including various aromatic and aliphatic organic solvents, hydrogen peroxide, persulfate, and particulate matter. Most studies reported environmental air concentrations, while personal exposure was measured only in seven studies. The measured air concentrations of formaldehyde, ammonia, and TVOC exceeded OEL or guidance values in some studies. There was large variability in measuring conditions and reported air concentrations differed strongly within and between studies. Conclusion: Hairdressers are exposed to a wide spectrum of hazardous chemicals, often simultaneously. Airborne concentrations of pollutants depend on salon characteristics such as ventilation and the number of customers but also on used products that are often country- or client-specific. For exposure to formaldehyde, ammonia, and TVOC exceeding OELs or guidance values for indoor air was observed. Therefore, occupational exposure should be taken into account by safety regulations for hair care products.

Keywords: airborne exposure; indoor exposure; health effects; inhalation; hairdressers; hair salons (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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