The first study to look at cancer rates in manicurists in California has found no evidence that nail salon workers have a greater chance of developing cancer than other women. But continued tracking is needed and could stilll reveal a higher risk over the long term, researchers say.
For the study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers obtained files for every person licensed to do nail care in the state since 1970 and linked them to a state database that includes cancer patients from 1988 to 2005. The scientists identified more than 9,000 cancer cases among the state’s 325,228 female licensed manicurists.
Cancer rates among the workers were no higher than in the general population, with two exceptions: thyroid cancer (for both manicurists and hairdressers licensed to do nails) and lung cancer (which was higher only among manicurists).
The percentage of the rate increase "is too small for me to highlight,” said Dr. Thu Quach, the study’s lead scientist and a senior researcher at the Fremont, Calif.–based Cancer Prevention Institute of California (CPIC).
But she added that this did not necessarily mean that nail-care work poses no cancer risk to women in the long term. The state’s cancer registry tracks cases to 2005, but growth in the nail industry didn’t take off until 1990, which gives the researchers at most 15 years of data, Quach said. What's more, the women in the study were relatively young, and cancer becomes more prevalent with age.
“Cancer is a disease that takes many years to develop, " she said. "There hasn’t been enough time for cancer to develop in this group.”
Quach says she was interested in conducting the study because nail-care workers are routinely exposed to hazardous and unregulated chemicals on the job, some of which are known to cause cancer.
“Anytime anyone is exposed to carcinogens, there’s a worry, but anytime it happens in a workplace, they are more exposed, so there’s greater worry,” Quach added. During an initial pilot study of nail
salon workers by CPIC, manicurists reported health problems such as eye and skin irritation, breathing problems and headaches.
The study, published last month, found that white women made up 60 percent of the more than 9,000
cancer cases, followed by Latina and Asian and Pacific Islander women. But demographic shifts in the industry could yield a very different ethnic breakdown among cancer cases in the future. The number of licensed manicurists has tripled in the last two decades, owing mostly to an influx of immigrant women workers, including large numbers of Vietnamese.
Dr. Tung Nguyen, a professor of medicine at UC San Francisco and co-director of the school’s Vietnamese Community Health Promotion Project, says that because many manicurists are Asian, and cancer rates for Asians are lower than in the general population, “the comparison to cancer rates in a population of Californian Asian women may have led to very different results.”
Nguyen added that the CPIC results did not take into account the incidence of other types of health problems among nail-care workers that are less easy to quantify and track. “The real issue, I think, is that the authors used cancer primarily because it has the best available database for this kind of analysis, whereas other potential health problems, asthma, for example, do not have these databases available,” Nguyen said
Quach said the study lays the groundwork for future research. The next step, she said, is to look more specifically at the Vietnamese workers and compare their rates of cancer to that of other Vietnamese. Follow-up studies will also track whether manicurists who have worked in the business longer are at a greater risk of developing cancer.
Dr. Cora Roelofs, a researcher at the School of Health and Environment at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, said that except for specific diseases such as mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer linked to working with asbestos, “if someone gets cancer, it’s hard to pinpoint a cause.”
Roelofs has studied acute health problems among nail salon workers and found that many reported “feeling unwell” on the job.
“Let’s not wait until we have that definitive science," Roelofs said. "Ultimately, it will be fairly elusive,” she added. “These chemicals are demonstrated in rats and mice to be toxic. They shouldn’t be in cosmetics.”
First Study of Nail-Care Workers Finds No Increased Cancer Risk
- Share and Email |
- Print |
Anonymous
Posted Sep 11 2010
The ingredients in nail polish would lead me to be more concerned about asthma, fertility, and impacts on the developing fetus of current or former nail salon employees.
Mariette Yepsen
Posted Nov 10 2010
Yeah i did look at it, that house wash looks great. That pressure washing organization does a great job.
Dollie Mayhall
Posted Nov 10 2010
Yeah i did notice it, that house wash looks great. That power cleaning crew did a great job.
Irmgard Eastburn
Posted Nov 10 2010
It was better than that, besides commercial property they also do residential pressure washing in Knoxvllle too.
Owen Giffith
Posted Nov 11 2010
Oh man, i hate that. But damn, next time get that power cleaning crew that does deck and fence cleaning the right way.
Lorenza
Posted Dec 11 2010
There's obviously a great deal to fully understand concerning this. I think you have made some good points. Also can you please let me know where do i find some neat wp templates? My best wishes, Lorenza.
kosmetika
Posted Jan 8 2011
We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with valuable information to work on. You've done a formidable job and our entire community will be grateful to you.
moteriski kvepalai
Posted Jan 8 2011
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.
vyriski kvepalai
Posted Jan 9 2011
Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.
Free B. porn
Posted Jan 24 2011
I'll gear this review to 2 types of people: current Zune owners who are considering an upgrade, and people trying to decide between a Zune and an iPod. (There are other players worth considering out there, like the Sony Walkman X, but I hope this gives you enough info to make an informed decision of the Zune vs players other than the iPod line as well.)
Buy rosetta stone
Posted Jan 25 2011
Apple now has Rhapsody as an app, which is a great start, but it is currently hampered by the inability to store locally on your iPod, and has a dismal 64kbps bit rate. If this changes, then it will somewhat negate this advantage for the Zune, but the 10 songs per month will still be a big plus in Zune Pass' favor.
Buy rosetta stone
Posted Jan 26 2011
Apple now has Rhapsody as an app, which is a great start, but it is currently hampered by the inability to store locally on your iPod, and has a dismal 64kbps bit rate. If this changes, then it will somewhat negate this advantage for the Zune, but the 10 songs per month will still be a big plus in Zune Pass' favor.
watch the hills online
Posted Jan 29 2011
Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading this ;D
Britt Left
Posted Feb 2 2011
Hello, i am trying to view the website on my iphone. For some reason i can't see it right. Do you have any idea?
Burton Haynes
Posted Feb 6 2011
What's the best Canon Powershot a digital (duh) camera? I want to buy for mostly "casual" photographs (christmas, birthdays, family reunions... that kind of stuff). And occasionally various cool artistic photos. I'm told that a 6-7 mm lens is the best... Other than that will, what else is good???
escort istanbul
Posted Feb 10 2011
Eğer istanbulda bir escort bayan arıyorsanız bizden daha kalitelisini bulamazsınız. Eğlence ve seks de limiti olmayan kızlarımıza sadece bir tık uzaktasınız.
Luigi Fulk
Posted Feb 11 2011
Apple now has Rhapsody as an app, which is a great start, but it is currently hampered by the inability to store locally on your iPod, and has a dismal 64kbps bit rate. If this changes, then it will somewhat negate this advantage for the Zune, but the 10 songs per month will still be a big plus in Zune Pass' favor.
Byron M. Swann
Posted Feb 12 2011
I desired to thank you for this excellent read!! I'm certainly getting each and every dose of this I've got you added to check out fresh items you publish
justin bieber lyrics
Posted Feb 17 2011
Good points made and I have to say I do agree with you for the most part.
Andrew A. Sailer
Posted Feb 18 2011
Your blog looks Amazing, where have you found it? please let me know. My email: nguefield34@hotmail.com
justin bieber phone number
Posted Feb 18 2011
Happy to be able to agree with you with what you are syaing...
strength glucosamine triple
Posted Feb 19 2011
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.
Sony NSX
Posted Feb 21 2011
Should i buy the sony yahoo tv box?I am specialist buying one today for downstairs. It is the sony one when using the built in blu ray(need the latest blu ray downstairs nevertheless.
Carroll B. Merriman
Posted Feb 22 2011
Are all of these articles written yourself or did you appoint a writer?
Resor
Posted Mar 2 2011
keep up the good work on the site. I love it. Could use some more frequent updates, but i am sure you got better things to do like we all have to do unfortunately. :)
resor
Posted Mar 3 2011
continue with the the great work on the blog. I like it. Could use some more frequent updates, but i am sure you got some more or better stuff to do like we all do. :p
chat
Posted Mar 4 2011
Zune and iPod: Most people compare the Zune to the Touch, but after seeing how slim and surprisingly small and light it is, I consider it to be a rather unique hybrid that combines qualities of both the Touch and the Nano. It's very colorful and lovely OLED screen is slightly smaller than the touch screen, but the player itself feels quite a bit smaller and lighter. It weighs about 2/3 as much, and is noticeably smaller in width and height, while being just a hair thicker.
where does justin bieber live
Posted Mar 4 2011
Hello, just wanted to let you kow how much of an interesting read this was. Look forward to the next installment.
how old is justin bieber
Posted Mar 5 2011
Hello, just wanted to let you kow how much of an interesting read this was. Look forward to the next installment.
tani hosting
Posted Mar 7 2011
After study a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.
profesjonalny seo hosting
Posted Mar 7 2011
You should take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I will recommend this site!
najlepszy hosting seo
Posted Mar 7 2011
I'm impressed, I must say. Really rarely do I encounter a blog that's both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is outstanding; the issue is something that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.
san diego homes for sale
Posted Mar 12 2011
I view something really interesting about your site so I saved to fav.
click here
Posted Mar 13 2011
The Zune concentrates on being a Portable Media Player. Not a web browser. Not a game machine. Maybe in the future it'll do even better in those areas, but for now it's a fantastic way to organize and listen to your music and videos, and is without peer in that regard. The iPod's strengths are its web browsing and apps. If those sound more compelling, perhaps it is your best choice.
MP3 Players For Kids
Posted Mar 14 2011
What exactly are some really good cd players for kids?My cousin is 5 yoa and for christmas I'd like to buy her a mp3 player, she loves my nano but I think it will be difficult for her to apply it. Are there the proper job ones for kids?
najlepszy hosting seo
Posted Mar 16 2011
There is noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made certain nice points in features also.
profesjonalny hosting stron www
Posted Mar 16 2011
I'm impressed, I must say. Really rarely do I encounter a blog that's both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is outstanding; the issue is something that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.
MP3 players for kids
Posted Mar 17 2011
What are some really good audio players for kids? My cousin is 5 yoa and for christmas I'd like to see to buy her a ipod, she loves my nano but I think it will be difficult for her to utilize it. Are there make available ones for kids?
zero friction marketing
Posted Mar 17 2011
The points you provided here are incredibly valuable. It absolutely was such an enjoyable surprise to have that waiting for me when I woke up this very day. They are often to the point and straightforward to interpret. Thanks a lot for the clever ideas you've shared above.
Katie Sukienki
Posted Jul 6 2011
I just added your website to my blog roll, I hope you'll think about doing the same.
Anonymous
Posted Dec 23 2011
I like your Blog. Nice article.
Tracy Simbides
Posted May 12 2012
I know I can find this hair for cheaper than $320. But I dead have no time to search
suzanne ahearn
Posted May 12 2012
spanish people asses are annoying, they be flat with a lil jiggle ..
Disclaimer: Comments do not necessarily reflect the views of New America Media. NAM reserves the right to edit or delete comments. Once published, comments are visible to search engines and will remain in their archives. If you do not want your identity connected to comments on this site, please refrain from commenting or use a handle or alias instead of your real name.
Related Articles
Vietnamese Americans Mourn Loss of Shepard Lowman
Born on September 21, 1926, Shepard Lowman had a long and fulfilling career as a…
AAJA condemns Joel Brinkley’s column about Vietnam
When we read Joel Brinkley’s recent column about Vietnam, we were appalled, and we expected…
Little Saigon Tet Parade Board of Organizers: Stop discriminating against VA LGBTs from participating in the Tet parade.
"On behalf of the Partnership of Vietnamese LGBT Organizations, we are asking for your support…
Life, Death and Immigration Reform
A family member's cancer bout made this writer see how border wars divert attention from…
Cancer Rates Rising for Korean Americans Due to Knowledge Gap
Simply getting the word out to Korean Americans about cancer screenings may be the most…
Foremost Viet Composer Pham Duy Passed Away
Phạm Duy, a prolific musician whose life and career spanned some of the most turbulent…
Comments