Tanning bed use in Germany between 2015 and 2022: Representative data of 28,000 individuals on indoor tanning, risk awareness and reasons for use.

BACKGROUND: Tanning beds were classified as first-group carcinogens in 2009. Nonetheless, research shows that people in industrialized Western countries use tanning beds. Based on the National Cancer Aid Monitoring (NCAM) including representative data on 28,000 individuals from Germany, we quantified the prevalence as a trend from 2015 to 2022, identified determinants of tanning bed use and analysed risk awareness and reasons for use. METHODS: We used NCAM data from 2015 to 2022 to analyse the trends in the prevalence of tanning bed use (n = 28,000). To determine the characteristics of tanning bed users, risk awareness and reasons, we combined data from the waves 2019 to 2022 (n = 16,000, 49.2% female, 16-65 years) in a pooled dataset to have sufficient power to detect even smaller associations. RESULTS: Tanning bed use decreased to 5.1% in 2022. The use of tanning beds in spas, fitness and beauty facilities increased, except during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the use in tanning salons decreased. Typical tanning bed users were female, middle-aged, occupied, higher educated, had an immigrant background and were former or current smokers. Risk awareness was the lowest among the current users. The most frequently mentioned reasons were relaxation, enhancement of attractiveness and pre-tanning. DISCUSSION: Our nationwide representative data showed that the prevalence of indoor tanning has decreased. Of concern are the lower risk awareness among current users and the shift in place of use towards facilities associated with health and wellness. To further reduce the use of tanning beds, targeted information, educational campaigns and extended legislation are considered helpful.

Systematic review on skin adverse effects of important hazardous hair cosmetic ingredients with a focus on hairdressers.

BACKGROUND: The burden of occupational hand eczema in hairdressers is high, and (partly strong) allergens abound in the hair cosmetic products they use. OBJECTIVES: To systematically review published evidence concerning contact allergy to an indicative list of active ingredients of hair cosmetics, namely, p-phenylenediamine (PPD), toluene-2,5-diamine (PTD), persulfates, mostly ammonium persulfate (APS), glyceryl thioglycolate (GMTG), and ammonium thioglycolate (ATG), concerning the prevalence of sensitization, particularly in terms of a comparison (relative risk; RR) between hairdressers and non-hairdressers. METHODS: Following a PROSPERO-registered and published protocol, eligible literature published from 2000 to February 2021 was identified, yielding 322 publications, and extracted in standardized publication record forms, also considering risk of bias. RESULTS: Based on 141 publications, the contact allergy prevalence to PPD was 4.3% (95% CI: 3.8-4.9%) in consecutively patch tested patients. Other ingredients were mostly tested in an aimed fashion, yielding variable, and partly high contact allergy prevalences. Where possible, the RR was calculated, yielding an average increased sensitization risk in hairdressers of between 5.4 (PPD) and 3.4 (ATG). Additional evidence related to immediate-type hypersensitivity, experimental results, exposures, and information from case reports was qualitatively synthesized. CONCLUSIONS: An excess risk of contact allergy is clearly evident from the pooled published evidence from the last 20 years. This should prompt an improvement in working conditions and product safety.

Relating 'to her Human Side': a Grounded Theory analysis of cosmetologists' and aestheticians' relationships with clients in Black American beauty salons to inform sexual health interventions.

Due to the elevated incidence of HIV among Black American women, effective sexual health interventions are needed. To explore beauty salons as settings for such interventions, we examined Black American women stylists' experiences discussing sex-related topics with Black American women clients. Constructivist Grounded Theory methodology guided data collection and analysis. Individual intensive interviews were conducted in 2019 with 16 Black women cosmetologists and/or aestheticians who served Black women in Southern California. Analyses generated grounded theory which we refer to as Relating 'to her Human Side': Black American cosmetologist-client relationship building model. The model highlights the importance of three sets of practices: 1) playing different roles to appeal to clients' varying wants and needs, 2) creating a comfortable atmosphere, and 3) establishing a judgement-free zone. Stylists put clients at ease and consequently, clients shared stories regarding sex and relationships freely. Stylists' actions built trusting relationships with clients, thus crafting beauty salons as atmospheres favourable for sex-related conversations and potential sexual health interventions.

The need for a multi-level approach to occupational safety and health among Asian and Asian American beauty service workers.

Asian and Asian Americans (A/AA) are a group overlooked in general health outcomes but especially occupational safety and health outcomes. In the United States, the beauty service microbusiness industry (e.g., nail salons) predominantly employs immigrant Asian women who regularly encounter a plethora of occupational hazards (e.g., harmful chemical exposures -toluene, formaldehyde, bloodborne pathogens, fungi. However, due to the precariousness of beauty service jobs, cultural and linguistic barriers, and social determinants of health, A/AA beauty service workers face complex occupational safety and health challenges that require interdisciplinary collaboration and cultural competency to address. This commentary will discuss a multi-level approach including specific outreach partners that will offer the required diverse skillsets necessary for improving the occupational safety and health for this worker population in this microbusiness industry. Implications and suggestions for interventions and policy changes are also recommended utilizing the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities' Research Framework.

Maternal occupation as a nail technician or hairdresser during pregnancy and birth defects, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997-2011.

OBJECTIVE: Nail technicians and hairdressers may be exposed to chemicals with potential reproductive effects. While studies have examined birth defects in children of hairdressers, those in children of nail technicians have not been evaluated. We investigated associations between selected birth defects and maternal occupation as a nail technician or hairdresser versus a non-cosmetology occupation during pregnancy. METHODS: We analysed population-based case-control data from the multisite National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997-2011. Cases were fetuses or infants with major structural birth defects; controls were live-born infants without major birth defects. Expert raters classified self-reported maternal jobs as nail technician, combination nail technician-hairdresser, hairdresser, other cosmetology work or non-cosmetology work. We used logistic regression to calculate adjusted ORs and 95% CIs for associations between occupation during pregnancy and birth defects, controlling for age, smoking, education and race/ethnicity. RESULTS: Sixty-one mothers worked as nail technicians, 196 as hairdressers, 39 as combination nail technician-hairdressers and 42 810 as non-cosmetologists. The strongest associations among nail technicians included seven congenital heart defect (CHD) groups (ORs ranging from 2.7 to 3.5) and neural tube defects (OR=2.6, CI=0.8 to 8.4). Birth defects most strongly associated with hairdressing included anotia/microtia (OR=2.1, CI=0.6 to 6.9) and cleft lip with cleft palate (OR=2.0, CI=1.1 to 3.7). All oral cleft groups were associated with combination nail technician-hairdresser work (ORs ranging from 4.2 to 5.3). CONCLUSIONS: Small samples resulted in wide CIs. Still, results suggest associations between maternal nail technician work during pregnancy and CHDs and between hairdressing work and oral clefts.

Differences between hairdressers and consumers in skin exposure to hair cosmetic products: A review.

Hairdressers are at high risk of developing occupational hand eczema. Opinions on the health and safety concerns of nonfood consumer products, such as cosmetics and their ingredients, consider the exposure of a "common consumer," which may not account for occupational exposure of hairdressers. As a result, there is a parlous scenario in which serious safety concerns about occupational exposures are present. The purpose of this review is to compare the frequency of exposure to various types of hair cosmetic products among hairdressers and consumers. Database searches for this review yielded a total of 229 articles; 7 publications were ultimately included. The analysis showed that-dependent on the task-hairdressers were exposed 4 to 78 times more than consumers to a wide spectrum of hair cosmetic products used in their daily working life, ranging from shampoos, conditioners, oxidative and nonoxidative hair colors, to bleaching agents. The highest frequency was found for coloring hair with oxidative hair color. Consumer use frequency does not appear to be appropriate for representing hairdresser exposure. The current standards do not effectively address the occupational risks associated with hairdressers' use of cosmetics. The findings of this study should cause current risk-assessment procedures to be reconsidered.

Integrating Intersectionality Into the Exposome Paradigm: A Novel Approach to Racial Inequities in Uterine Fibroids.

Intersectionality is a critical theoretical framework that emphasizes the influence of intersecting systems of oppression on the lived experiences of people marginalized by inequity. Although applications of intersectionality are increasing in public health, this framework is absent in environmental health, which has instead focused on the exposome, a paradigm that considers the totality of an individual's environmental exposures across the life course.Despite advancements in the biological complexity of exposome models, they continue to fall short in addressing health inequities. Therefore, we highlight the need for integrating intersectionality into the exposome. We introduce key concepts and tools for environmental health scientists interested in operationalizing intersectionality in exposome studies and discuss examples of this innovative approach from our work on racial inequities in uterine fibroids.Our case studies illustrate how interlocking systems of racism and sexism may affect Black women's exposure to environmental chemicals, their epigenetic regulation of uterine fibroids, and their clinical care. Because health relies on biological and social-structural determinants and varies across different intersectional positions, our proposed framework may be a promising approach for understanding environmental health inequities and furthering social justice.

Responsibility for chemical exposures: perspectives from small beauty salons and auto shops in southern metropolitan Tucson.

BACKGROUND: Throughout the United States, low-wage, minority workers are disproportionately affected by occupational illnesses and injuries. Chronic exposure to hazardous chemicals at work can lead to serious illnesses, contributing to health inequities. In this article, we expand on theories of 'responsibilization' in an occupational health context to reveal how responsibilities for workplace chemical exposures are negotiated by workers and owners in Latinx-owned small businesses. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with a total of 22 workers and owners in auto repair shops and beauty salons - two high-risk industries - in Southern Metropolitan Tucson. Participants were asked about their insights into workplace chemical exposures and health. A qualitative analysis team with representation from all study partner organizations collectively coded and reviewed the interview data in QSR International's NVivo 11 and identified overarching themes across the interviews. RESULTS: We identified three primary themes: 1) ambivalence toward risks in the workplace; 2) shifting responsibilities for exposure protection at work; and 3) reflections on the system behind chemical exposure risks. Participants discussed the complexities that small businesses face in reducing chemical exposures. CONCLUSIONS: Through our analysis of the interviews, we examine how neoliberal occupational and environmental policies funnel responsibility for controlling chemical exposures down to individuals in small businesses with limited resources, obscuring the power structures that maintain environmental health injustices. We conclude with a call for upstream policy changes that more effectively regulate and hold accountable the manufacturers of chemical products used daily by small business workers.

Perceived work exposures and expressed intervention needs among Michigan nail salon workers.

BACKGROUND: Nail salon workers are an underserved population exposed to various occupational hazards. Comprised primarily of women and immigrants, these workers face challenges that further increase their workplace exposures and adverse health outcomes. Though previous studies have noted nail salon workers' exposures, these studies have yet to explore the workers' insights on intervention needs. This study among Michigan nail salon workers addresses this gap. METHODS: This qualitative study was informed by the phenomenology methodological framework anchored within critical social theory. Participants were recruited from nail salons in Southeast Michigan to partake in focus groups. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Three focus groups were conducted with 13 participants. Three major categories emerged. The first category, workers' perceived work-related stressors, included six themes: lack of standardized policies, regulations, education/training; disconnect between education/training and real-world practice; inadequate knowledge on exposures and safety protocols; unsafe nail products; customer pressure; and immigrant-related pressures. The second category, health issues perceived to be directly related to workplace exposures, included two themes: symptoms experienced due to contact with nail products and symptoms due to poor ergonomics. The third category, participants' perceived intervention needs, included four themes: continuing education; updates with new products; communication with key stakeholders; and partnership building and resource access. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first qualitative study among U.S. nail salon workers focused in Midwest. In addition to the noted individual and organizational-level interventions, policy level implications are discussed given discrepancies in training and practices across states.

Blood plasma levels of biomarkers of liver status and lipid profile among nail technicians occupationally exposed to low-level mixture of volatile organic compounds.

PURPOSE: Nail technicians (NTs) are exposed to a low-level mixture of volatile organic solvents (VOCs), yet the health hazards related to such exposure are unknown. This study thus aimed to compare the blood plasma levels of selected biomarkers related to liver status and lipid profile among occupationally exposed NTs and unexposed controls. Associations between out-of-normal-range levels of such biomarkers and occupational exposure to VOCs mixture have also been investigated. METHODS: The study enrolled 145 female NTs and 152 unexposed controls. Biochemical analyses were performed using spectrophotometric assays and obtained data were analyzed using general linear model and Poisson regression modelling adjusted to multiple confounders. RESULTS: Compared to controls, NTs presented significantly increased plasma activities of ALT (2.04 ± 0.63 ln-U/l vs. 1.25 ± 0.71 ln-U/l; p < 0.0001) and AST (2.73 ± 0.25 ln-U/l vs. 2.08 ± 0.95 ln-U/l; p < 0.0001), and significantly increased plasma levels of TG (4.38 ± 0.53 ln-mg/dl vs. 4.21 ± 0.42 ln-mg/dl; p < 0.05) and TC/HDL ratio (1.18 ± 0.36 vs. 1.02 ± 0.27; p < 0.0005). Plasma levels of HDL were significantly lower among NTs (4.02 ± 0.29 ln-mg/dl vs. 4.21 ± 0.26 ln-mg/dl; p < 0.0001). Moreover, NTs were found to present significantly increased risk of occurrence of clinically relevant plasma HDL levels below 3.91 ln-mg/dl (i.e., 50 mg/dl; RR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.07-2.32, p < 0.05), as well as increased risk of clinically relevant TC/HDL ratio above the normal range limit of 3.5 (RR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.19-2.35, p < 0.005), as compared to unexposed controls. CONCLUSION: Nail technicians are subject to adverse changes in selected plasma biomarkers related to liver functions, some of which may be of clinical relevance.

Hairdressers' occupational skin diseases in the Finnish Register of Occupational Diseases in a period of 14 years.

BACKGROUND: Hairdressers have a high risk of occupational contact dermatitis caused by exposure to wet work and allergens in hairdressing chemicals. OBJECTIVES: To examine the distribution of diagnoses of occupational skin diseases (OSDs) and their main causes in hairdressers based on a national register data on occupational diseases. METHODS: We retrieved cases of recognized OSDs in hairdressers from the Finnish Register of Occupational Diseases (FROD) in years 2005-2018. RESULTS: During the 14-year period, a total of 290 cases of recognized OSD in hairdressers were registered in the FROD. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) was diagnosed in 54%, irritant contact dermatitis in 44%, and contact urticaria (CU) in 5% of them. ACD was most commonly caused by hair dye products and their ingredients (N = 57), persulfates (N = 35), and preservatives (N = 35; mainly isothiazolinones). Acrylates emerged as hairdressers' occupational contact allergens (N = 8) probably due to introduction of structure nails into hair salons. Persulfates was the most common cause of CU. CONCLUSIONS: ACD was the most common OSD in hairdressers. Our analysis confirms that preservatives are important causes of ACD in hairdressers in addition to hair dye products and persulfates. Acrylates emerged as hairdressers' occupational contact allergens, but contact allergy to perming agents remained rare.

Understanding Knowledge and Barriers Related to Hepatitis B for Vietnamese Nail Salon Workers in the City of Philadelphia and Some of Its Environs.

In the United States (U.S.), up to 2.2 million individuals have been chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Many nail salon workers are at risk for HBV as they are coming from high-risk and traditionally underserved communities. To understand barriers and knowledge associated with HBV in the Vietnamese nail salon community, the Health Belief Model (HBM) was used to qualitatively assess the health needs for the prevention of HBV among Vietnamese nail salon workers in Philadelphia through focus groups and interviews (N = 19). Results revealed several themes that highlight barriers within the Vietnamese nail community. Major themes were the lack of knowledge related to hepatitis B, including significant misconceptions related to symptoms, and how hepatitis B is transmitted and prevented. There were also several barriers to health care access within the Vietnamese nail community including the cost of health care, long work hours, lack of insurance and lack of understanding of current community resources. Additionally, discrimination and stigma related to those infected with hepatitis B emerged as a theme from this data. Those interviewed also noted that the nail training and licensing they received did not highlight hepatitis B and other infectious diseases that can be spread within the nail salon.

Screening for hypertension at the hairdresser: a feasibility study in France and Morocco.

Purpose: Worldwide, hypertension awareness remains largely insufficient. This is particularly true in some population subgroups with a low socioeconomic status or in young adults who have limited interactions with healthcare systems. Performing Blood Pressure (BP) screening in non-conventional settings, such as in barbershops, has been suggested by a number of American authors. Whether this approach is feasible in Europe or in North Africa has not been evaluated, however. We, therefore, undertook a study to assess the value of BP screening at hairdressers in France and in Morocco.Materials and Methods: This was a prospective multicenter feasibility study. Twenty-three hairdressers in France and six in Morocco participated in the study. After being provided the relevant information, all consenting customers aged over 18 years were included. Three BP measurements were performed by the customers themselves using a validated Omron M7 automatic BP device connected to a printer.Results: In France, 1025 subjects were enrolled, while 300 subjects participated in Morocco. Three hundred and seventy French participants (36%) had an elevated BP. Among the subjects claiming to be normotensive or who did not know their hypertension status, 31.7% had a BP ≥ 135/85 mmHg. Only 42% of the subjects with an elevated BP contacted their physician within 3 months, although hypertension was confirmed in ¾ of them. In Morocco, the participants were older, with only 11.7% of the subjects aged <50 years. They more frequently had unknown elevated BP values (71.9%). The rate of BP monitoring in known hypertensive individuals was 42.7% in France and 17.1% in Morocco. The procedure was very well accepted and considered to be useful in both countries.Conclusion: BP screening at hairdressers is feasible and well-accepted, although it does suffer somewhat from a relatively low efficacy.

Hispanic/Latinos and Skincare: Disparities in Product Development, Marketing, and Toxicity.

“Hispanic” and “Latino” (also known as Mestizo) describe a diverse racial and ethnic group, with a range of cultures, languages, and biological ancestry. It includes individuals of Mexican, Central-to-South American, and Spanish-Caribbean (eg, Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican) descent.1 Individuals of Hispanic/Latino race and ethnicity represent a heterogenous group of people with different skin tones and Fitzpatrick phototypes. Hispanic/Latinos are the fastest growing population in the United States (US) - projected to increase from 55 million in 2014 to 119 million in 2060, an increase of 115%.2 By 2060, more than one-quarter (29%) of the US is projected to be Hispanic/Latino.2.

Occupational and non-occupational allergic contact dermatitis to hair dyes in Greece. A 10-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative hair dyes are an important source of chemical exposure and a major risk factor for the development of occupational and non-occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To identify the frequency of common allergens associated with occupational and non-occupational ACD to hair dyes during the last 10 years, in Greece. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with suspected ACD to hair dyes from 2010-2019. All patients with patch-test-confirmed ACD to hair dyes were evaluated. RESULTS: Out of 501 patients with suspected ACD to hair dyes, 362 had at least one positive reaction to hair dye allergens (62.4% were customers and 37.6% were hairdressers). The mean age of customers and hairdressers was 43.8 years and 30.8 years, respectively. Of the customers, 58.9% were exposed to dyes for >10 years and 61% of hairdressers for <5 years. The most common site of ACD among customers was the scalp (85%) and among hairdressers the hands (90%). p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) was the most common contact allergen (52.2%), followed by toluene-2,5-diamine, p-aminophenol, m-aminophenol, and ammonium persulfate. CONCLUSIONS: Sensitization prevalences for PPD and cross-reacting allergens have increased in Greece during the last decade, regardless of occupational or non-occupational exposure to hair dyes.

Characteristics and incidence of contact dermatitis among hairdressers in north-eastern Italy.

BACKGROUND: Hairdressers are at high risk of contact dermatitis (CD) due to skin exposure to numerous irritants and haptens in hair products in combination with frequent wet work. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the characteristics and incidence of CD among hairdressers in north-eastern Italy. METHODS: A total of 324 hairdressers who had been examined and patch tested in north-eastern Italy from 1996 to 2016 were retrospectively identified, and compared with 9669 matched controls. Sensitization to allergens of the hairdressing series was analysed among hairdressers attending an occupational medicine clinic in Trieste, Italy. Incidence data were calculated from 1999 to 2016. RESULTS: Sensitization to p-phenylenediamine, thiuram mix, and N-isopropyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine was significantly associated with hairdressing and with hand/forearms dermatitis. Frequent sensitizers from hairdressing series were ammonium persulfate, toluene-2,5-diamine, and p-aminobenzene. The overall incidence of CD declined from 2003 (31.7 cases/10 000 workers) to 2016 (20.8 cases/10 000 workers). CONCLUSIONS: Sensitization to several haptens was significantly associated with hairdressing. The incidence of CD among hairdressers in north-eastern Italy has declined in recent years, but is still high. Preventive efforts are needed to reduce the burden of CD in this professional group.

Occupational respiratory morbidity among hair and beauty salon workers in Udupi taluk, Karnataka, India.

BACKGROUND: The Indian hair and beauty salon industry is growing rapidly due to the demand for beauty and personal care services and products. Workers in the industry are vulnerable to several occupational factors such as chemicals, confined space, and poor ventilation. Chemicals in the products used are known or suspected to cause allergies, respiratory, neurological and reproductive health problems and cancer. METHODS: The present study was carried out to determine the factors associated with the occurrence of respiratory morbidity among hair and beauty salon workers of Udupi taluk, Karnataka, India. A total of 240 salon workers were recruited for the study. A semistructured, interviewer-led questionnaire was used to collect data. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was done using a JSB peak flow meter. RESULTS: The frequency of respiratory morbidity among participating beauty salon workers was 19%. Men reported respiratory symptoms more frequently than women. Receiving training on work materials and practices was a significant protective factor (odds ratio = 0.3; 95% confidence interval: 0.1-0.7) for the occurrence of respiratory morbidity. The mean observed PEFR in these workers was significantly lower than their predicted values. While 61.2% of the workers were using some form of personal protective equipment, only 4% of workers used a mask or respiratory protection. CONCLUSION: Hair and beauty salon workers are at risk of developing respiratory morbidity potentially from harmful exposures and lack of effective control measures at the workplace.

Malignant mesothelioma following repeated exposures to cosmetic talc: A case series of 75 patients.

BACKGROUND: Asbestos is the primary known cause of malignant mesothelioma. Some cosmetic talc products have been shown to contain asbestos. Recently, repeated exposures to cosmetic talc have been implicated as a cause of mesothelioma. METHODS: Seventy-five individuals (64 females; 11 males) with malignant mesothelioma, whose only known exposure to asbestos was repeated exposures to cosmetic talcum powders, were reviewed in medical-legal consultation. Out of the 75 cases, 11 were examined for asbestiform fibers. RESULTS: All subjects had pathologically confirmed malignant mesothelioma. The mean age at diagnosis was 61 ± 17 years. The mean latency from exposure to diagnosis was 50 ± 13 years. The mean exposure duration was 33 ± 16 years. Four mesotheliomas (5%) occurred in individuals working as barbers/cosmetologists, or in a family member who swept the barber shop. Twelve (16%) occurred in individuals less than 45 years old (10 females; 2 males). Forty-eight mesotheliomas were pleural (40 females; 8 males), 23 were peritoneal (21 females; 2 males). Two presented with concomitant pleural and peritoneal disease. There was one pericardial, and one testicular mesothelioma. The majority (51) were of the epithelioid histological subtype, followed by 13 biphasic, 8 sarcomatoid, 2 lymphohistiocytoid, and 1 poorly differentiated. Of the 11 individuals whose nontumorous tissues were analyzed for the presence of asbestiform fibers, all showed the presence of anthophyllite and/or tremolite asbestos. CONCLUSIONS: Mesotheliomas can develop following exposures to cosmetic talcum powders. These appear to be attributable to the presence of anthophyllite and tremolite contaminants in cosmetic talcum powder.

An estimation of airborne SARS-CoV-2 infection transmission risk in New York City nail salons.

Although airborne transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from person-to-person over long distances is currently thought to be unlikely, the current epidemiological evidence suggests that airborne SARS-CoV-2 infection transmission in confined, indoor spaces is plausible, particularly when outdoor airflow rates are low and when face masks are not utilized. We sought to model airborne infection transmission risk assuming five realistic exposure scenarios using previously estimated outdoor airflow rates for 12 New York City nail salons, a published quanta generation rate specific to SARS-CoV-2, as well as the Wells-Riley equation to assess risk under both steady-state and non-steady-state conditions. Additionally, the impact of face mask-wearing by occupants on airborne infection transmission risk was also evaluated. The risk of airborne infection transmission across all salons and all exposure scenarios when not wearing face masks ranged from <0.015% to 99.25%, with an average airborne infection transmission risk of 24.77%. Wearing face masks reduced airborne infection transmission risk to between <0.01% and 51.96%, depending on the salon, with an average airborne infection transmission risk of 7.30% across all salons. Increased outdoor airflow rates in nail salons were generally strongly correlated with decreased average airborne infection transmission risk. The results of this study indicate that increased outdoor airflow rates and the use of face masks by both employees and customers could substantially reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission in New York City nail salons. Businesses should utilize multiple layers of infection control measures (e.g. social distancing, face masks, and outdoor airflow) to reduce airborne infection transmission risk for both employees and customers.