Nail Technicians’ Blood Shows Elevated Chemical Levels

Last year, the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) implemented new requirements for active ventilation at nail salons. Now, the first study of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in nail technicians, led by School of Public Health researchers, finds elevated blood levels of toluene and ethyl acetate, but that better ventilation reduces the levels of these compounds in the air that the workers breathe. Read more about Senior Fellow Diana Ceballos’ research.