Frawley, Kristin L
(2013)
Formaldehyde exposure in the cosmetology industry from Brazilian blowouts.
Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.
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Abstract
Brazilian Blowout is a method of temporarily straightening hair using both a protein and a preservative solution, followed by heating the hair with a very hot flat iron. This chemical process is of public health importance because it can put customers of the hair salon and the cosmetologist at risk for exposure to higher than normal concentrations of formaldehyde, a known toxicant and suspected human carcinogen. Brazilian Blowout came under scrutiny in 2010 when its products, packaged and labeled as “formaldehyde free,” were found to release significant amounts of formaldehyde. Prompted by complaints from cosmetologists, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began an investigation which would prove that the “formaldehyde-free” products did, in fact, contain an aqueous (hydrated) form of formaldehyde, also known as methylene glycol. When heated with a flat iron, methylene glycol releases water and formaldehyde gas into the salon. OSHA set a 15-minute short term exposure limit (STEL) of 2 parts formaldehyde per million parts air (ppm). The salons studied during the OSHA investigation had levels as high as five times the OSHA STEL. These findings led to salons being cited for using products that contained or could release formaldehyde, neglecting to follow the requirements in OSHA's formaldehyde standard, and failing to provide workers training and information on the health hazards and symptomatic signs of exposure to formaldehyde. However, this problem has not been completely eradicated.
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Details
| Item Type: |
Other Thesis, Dissertation, or Long Paper
(Master Essay)
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| Contributors: |
| Contribution | Contributors Name | Email | Pitt Username | ORCID  |
|---|
| Committee Chair | Peterson, Jim | jpp16@pitt.edu | JPP16 | UNSPECIFIED | | Committee Member | Vukotich, Jr, Charles | charlesv@pitt. edu. | UNSPECIFIED | UNSPECIFIED | | Committee Member | Sharma, Ravi | rks1946@pitt.edu | RKS1946 | UNSPECIFIED |
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| Date: |
26 August 2013 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Publisher: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Environmental and Occupational Health |
| Degree: |
MPH - Master of Public Health |
| Thesis Type: |
Master Essay |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Date Deposited: |
11 May 2015 20:06 |
| Last Modified: |
30 Mar 2022 10:55 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/19728 |
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