Occupational Health Watch: July 2015
CA Safe Cosmetics Program a Resource for Salon Workers
After a recent
New York Times exposƩ detailed rampant wage theft and health hazards in New York City's nail salons, lawmakers have responded with emergency measures. These include forming a new statewide Enforcement Task Force to reinforce wage and hour laws and new health and safety rules in that state.
The exposƩ and its aftermath have increased awareness around the country of the toxic chemicals found in nail salon products and other cosmetics.
But because salon product manufacturers are not required to list ingredients on their labels and required Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for hazardous materials are under-utilized, consumers and salon workers may not know whether toxic chemicals are in the products they use.
Californians benefit from a unique law requiring companies to report to the state cosmetic products containing ingredients known or suspected to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
In 2014, the
California Safe Cosmetics Program (CSCP) launched an online, searchable
database that allows salon workers and others to learn which cosmetic products have been reported. Companies have reported to the CSCP nearly 8,000 nail products, which workers and consumers can find by searching the database by chemical, product name and type, or company.
Resources
CSCP Database
California Safe Cosmetics Program
Email Occupational Health Watch (OHW@cdph.ca.gov) with feedback or change of address.