PA James Calls for Nail Salon Health and Safety Bill

Public Advocate Letitia James with advocates calling for nail salon protections

Public Advocate Letitia James today joined with advocates and elected officials on the steps of City Hall to rally support for the Nail Salon Health and Safety Bill, which will improve the health and safety standards in New York City’s nail salons. The legislation (Intro 304), which is sponsored by Public Advocate James, comes in response to questionable health, safety, and inspection standards that have been exposed in New York State’s estimated 5,000 nail salons and were highlighted in Public Advocate James’ report on the issue last fall. Following the rally, there was joint hearing about the bill with the New York City Council committees on Health and Consumer Affairs.

“New Yorkers from all walks of life patronize our City’s nail salons on a regular basis, but most do not know that many of these businesses are rife with unsanitary conditions and hazardous chemicals that endanger the health of both customers and employees that work there every day,” said Public Advocate Letitia James. “This bill will create an enforceable framework to improve health and safety standard in New York City’s estimated 2,000 nail salons. I want to thank Council Members Johnson and Espinal for their leadership in the City Council on this issue, and I look forward to working with all stakeholders to implement these necessary reforms.”

Currently, there are only 32 inspectors overseeing all 5,000 nail salons in New York State, and only 25% of the nail salons are inspected each year. Most nail salons use products that contain a “toxic trio” of chemicals that have been linked to reproductive harm, respiratory problems and cancer.

When passed, the Nail Salon Health and Safety Bill will:

  • Require the City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to develop guidelines to improve the health and safety of nail salons. The guidelines will include information about hazardous products, recommendations to improve air quality and safety practices for salon employees;

  • Require all nail salons in New York City to register with the City Department of Health, similar to how commuter vehicles register in the City in addition to getting a license through New York State;

  • Formally recognize nail salons that adhere to higher standards of health and safety;

  • Incentivize nail salons to install a new mechanical ventilation unit to improve air quality and provide a reimbursement of up to $500;

  • Expand education and outreach programs and post information about the guidelines and certification program on the City Department of Health website; and

  • Establish a task force of physicians, practitioners, government and advocates to gather data and produce a report on nail salon health, safety and standards of practice.

“Nail salons make up one of the most toxic industries in the city – both for workers and for customers,” said Charlene Obernauer, Executive Director of New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH). “This bill is a step forward on a long road towards building healthier salons in our communities.”

“Nail salons routinely use a host of chemicals that can be dangerous to the public and especially to the workers who are exposed to them for long hours each day,” said Rachel Spector, Staff Attorney for the Environmental Justice Program of New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. “These health risks can be significantly reduced through proper safety measures and the use of non-toxic products. This bill is a crucial step toward making salons that are safe for workers and safe for the customers that patronize them.” – Rachel Spector, Staff Attorney, Environmental Justice Program of New York Lawyers for the Public Interest

"As a trusted sexual and reproductive health care provider, Planned Parenthood of New York City is concerned about the effects that hazardous chemicals may have on reproductive health,” said Christina Chang, Vice President of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood of New York City. “We applaud the Public Advocate for introducing legislation to improve safety measures and education about potentially harmful chemicals in nail salons. All New Yorkers deserve the right to work without risking their health or the health of their family."

“Nail salons should not only help New Yorkers feel beautiful, they must also keep nail salon workers safe and healthy,” said Miriam Yeung, Executive Director of the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum. “Intro 304-A is an important first step in creating healthier salons for consumers and workers—including hundreds of Asian immigrant women—in NYC. The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum commends Public Advocate James and her colleagues on City Council for their leadership in making nail salons in New York City safer.”