Airborne concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in hair salons primarily serving women of color

Abstract

Hairdressers are exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can pose health risks. Women of color (Black/Latina) represent nearly one-third of all U.S. hairdressers who may be disproportionally exposed to VOCs through occupational and personal use of hair products and treatments specifically formulated for this demographic. Still, data on workplace VOC exposures in this workforce remains sparse. We conducted area air monitoring of 14 VOCs in three salons serving Black women (“Black salons”), three Dominican salons predominantly serving Latino and Black women and 10 office spaces using active integrated sampling across 8-hour work shifts. Most VOCs measured were detected in hair salons (n = 13) and offices (n = 11). Salons had median VOC concentrations 2-175 times higher than offices. Among salons, 95th percentile VOC concentrations were up to 187 times higher in Black salons than in Dominican salons, suggesting that elevated exposures may occur partly from differences based on product use, services rendered, and salon characteristics (e.g., cleaning practices, ventilation). This is the first study to report indoor air concentrations of multiple individual targeted VOCs in U.S. hair salons serving women of color, highlighting the need for comprehensive exposure studies and assessment of potential health risks in this understudied and overexposed workforce.