brazilian keratin treatment & formaldehyde exposure: what do you need to know?
DESCRIPTION
This presentation discusses formaldehyde and other chemical exposure during brazilian keratin treatment, brazilian blowout and similar hair straightening procedures. It explains what chemicals and safety instructions to look for in correlation with your product, what the law is regarding formaldehyde exposure, and what you can do to protect yourself, your staff, and customers. www.bktformaldehyde.comTRANSCRIPT
Stay Informed.Stay Informed.Information for Stylists, Salon Owners, Salon Customers. Brought to you by Sentry Air Systems, Inc.
What do you really need to know?What do you really need to know?
• What are the ingredients of the hair straightening product I’m using?
• What is formaldehyde? Why should I care about formaldehyde?
• What regulations do I have to follow regarding formaldehyde?
• How do I follow these regulations and keep my staff/self/customers safe?
With so much media attention surrounding Brazilian Blowout/Brazilian Keratin treatment and formaldehyde exposure, it is difficult to stay on top of all of the latest research. We’re not going to attempt to tackle all of the details in this presentation; however, it is important to note that there is overwhelming evidence of formaldehyde exposure in correlation with a variety of hair straightening products; even products that claim to be “formaldehyde-free.”
If you’re feeling studious and want to research it further: CROET [Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology at OSHU] does an excellent job of outlining the major events that have taken place over the last year. Even if you decide that you don’t want to research all of the press releases and industrial hygiene reports, there are a few key questions you should still be asking yourself regarding the hair straightening products you’re using:
www.bktformaldehyde.com
DisclaimerSentry Air Systems, Inc. provides this information as a customer service, but cannot be responsible for its accuracy or completeness. It is recommended that competent safety and hygiene professionals be contacted for consultation regarding all health and/or air quality issues.
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…now what are the ingredients in that product you’re using? www.bktformaldehyde
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Check the Ingredients!
MSDSthe Material Safety Data Sheet that should accompany your product.The Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard requires that an MSDS be available for products that contain hazardous chemicals, SO salon owners should have these handy if there are hazardous chemicals involved.
They can be found on the:
……………………………..…………………what am I supposed to be looking for?
www.bktformaldehyde.com
Source: www.brazilianblowout.com
Good Question.
www.bktformaldehyde.com
Although OSHA does not require that MSDS be in a standard format, they recommend a 16-section format established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Example Below: Brazilian Blowout Professional Smoothing Solution [Updated 10/26/2010]
The first page of this MSDS provides you with product information [Names, Product Use, Distributor Info, and Contact Info.:
Next, they provide Hazard Identification [Read this Section Carefully]. This is where the MSDS explains Hazards, Routes of Entry, Effects of Exposure, and Health Effects:
www.bktformaldehyde.com
Yes, that’s a lot of chemicals to analyze:
If you’re concerned about formaldehyde exposure, OSHA suggests looking for these chemicals in particular (sometimes the manufacturer lists formaldehyde under different names because of the way it reacts in the product). If the chemical is in 0.1% of the product or more, it needs to be listed:
•methylene glycol
•Formalin
•methylene oxide
•Paraform
•formic aldehyde
•Methanal
•Oxomethane
•Oxymethylene
•or CAS Number 50-00-0.
All of these are names for or treated as formaldehyde under OSHA's Formaldehyde standard.
![http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/formaldehyde/hazard_alert.html]www.bktformaldehyde
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First Aid Measures. Take a good look at these too; especially if you’re going to be around the chemical often or for prolonged periods of time:
This section is followed by Firefighting Measures, Accidental Release Measures, and Handling and Storage Information.
www.bktformaldehyde.com
Followed by: Exposure Controls & Personal Protection. This section shows you how you can protect yourself from the product/chemicals. It gives recommendations for respiratory, eye, hand, and body protection:
www.bktformaldehyde.com
The remaining sections of this MSDS example:
•Physical & Chemical Properties
•Stability & Reactivity
•Toxicological Information
•Ecological Information
•Disposal Considerations
•Transportation Information
•Regulatory Information
•Other Information
All of these sections are important; you will learn valuable information that you should consider when handling the product.
www.bktformaldehyde.com
What is Formaldehyde?Let’s suppose you’ve looked at your MSDS and found that your product contains formaldehyde (or one of the names that indicates that formaldehyde is involved).
IMPORTANT INTERJECTION: If you don’t see a formaldehyde-containing ingredient on your MSDS, it DOES NOT mean that you are safe. You need to carefully review all of the recommended exposure controls and personal protection because there are other chemicals, aside from formaldehyde, that can be equally as dangerous.
Okay. Now back to Formaldehyde: What is it and why should you care about it?
www.bktformaldehyde.com
Formaldehyde is a useful chemical that is used in many manufacturing processes and in day-to-day life. Formaldehyde has several uses: as an intermediate in the production of resins and industrial chemicals, as a disinfectant (bactericide), as a preservative or embalming agent, as a final wash in photography film, and as a component in the manufacture or treatment of many consumer products. Despite its useful nature, it has toxic and carcinogenic properties.The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) describes it:
“Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas that presents a health hazard if workers are exposed. You can be exposed to formaldehyde if you breathe it into your lungs, if it gets into your eyes, or if it is contained in a product that gets onto your skin. You can also be exposed accidentally if you touch your face, eat food, or drink after using a product containing formaldehyde without first washing your hands. It can irritate the eyes and nose, and cause coughing and wheezing. Formaldehyde is a "sensitizer," which means that it can cause allergic reactions of the skin, eyes, and lungs such as asthma-like breathing problems and skin rashes and itching. When formaldehyde is in a product that gets sprayed into the eyes, it can damage the eyes and cause blindness. It is also a cancer hazard. Formaldehyde is a health hazard, whether in a product or in the air.”
www.bktformaldehyde.com
In OSHA’s very helpful “Hazard Alert” concerning hair straightening treatments, they explain why some of these products may expose you to formaldehyde:
“Many keratin-based hair smoothing products contain formaldehyde dissolved (and chemically reacted) in water and other ingredients in the product. Because of the way the formaldehyde reacts in these products, some manufacturers, importers, or distributors might list other names for formaldehyde on product information or might claim that the product is "formaldehyde-free." Formaldehyde might be listed as methylene glycol, formalin, methylene oxide, paraform, formic aldehyde, methanal, oxomethane, oxymethylene, or CAS Number 50-00-0. All of these are names for formaldehyde under OSHA's Formaldehyde standard. The bottom line is that formaldehyde can be released from hair smoothing products that list any of these names on the label and workers can breathe it in or absorb it through their skin. Workers can be exposed to formaldehyde during the entire hair straightening process, especially when heat is applied (e.g. blow-drying, flat ironing).”
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/formaldehyde/hazard_alert.html
www.bktformaldehyde.com
OSHA Regulations
www.bktformaldehyde.com
According to OSHA standard 1910.1048 , the current permissible exposure limit (PEL) for formaldehyde is 0.75 part of formaldehyde per million parts of air (ppm) as a time-weighted average over an 8-hour period. The short-term exposure limit (STEL) is 2 ppm for any 15-minute sampling period. Engineering controls should be taken if your action level is 0.5 ppm.
If testing shows that you exceed OSHA’s limits…
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration enforces formaldehyde overexposure regulations in the work environment:
To determine if you meet or exceed these regulations, you will need to conduct air sampling. It is recommended to use a Certified Industrial Hygienist to conduct this testing.
www.bktformaldehyde.com
How to meet OSHA’s regulationsIf testing shows that you exceed OSHA’s limits…
The employer should do the following, according to OSHA:
• Install air ventilation systems in the areas where these products are mixed and used to help keep formaldehyde levels below OSHA's limit and perform regular maintenance to make sure the systems work correctly;
• When possible, require workers to use lower heat settings on blow-dryers and flat irons used during the process;
• Give workers respirators, if needed; train them to use the respirator properly; and meet the other requirements in OSHA's Respiratory protection standard;
• Ensure workers understand the information on a product's label and MSDS;
• Post signs at entryways to any area where formaldehyde is above OSHA's limit to tell workers of the danger and stating that only authorized personnel may enter;
• Tell workers about the health effects of formaldehyde, how to use the product safely, and what personal protective equipment to wear while using the product; and
• Train workers how to safely clean up spills and properly throw products out.
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/formaldehyde/hazard_alert.html For more info. on what to do if you exceed these limits, visit:
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www.bktformaldehyde.com
Sentry Air Systems, Inc. has been serving the salon industry for several years with its unique BKT Fume Extractor. With a triple stage filtration system designed specifically for BKT and similar hair straightening treatments, this reliable fume extractor provides a simple, efficient, and industry-tested respiratory engineering control to assist in reducing formaldehyde exposure.
“Thanks to the folks at Sentry Air, we are able to work in a safe environment while performing keratin smoothing hair treatments. We currently perform up to twenty a day and would never be able to sustain this level of service without these extractors!
The folks at Sentry are literally life savers! Thank you Sentry!!”
Patrick EvanOwner Patrick Evan Salon San Francisco, CA “Since using the filtration system we have discovered when we do our Keratin service, we no longer have to open our doors to let in fresh air, no more uncomfortable odors along with eliminating any burning within our lungs and nose. We have since increased the number of services since we have started using your product. I highly recommend your product to any salon who offers the keratin service and we look forward to working with your company from now on and well into the future.”
Sandy S.Posh SalonBabylon, NY
www.bktformaldehyde.com
Reminder:
**Please note that it is the individual's responsibility to use multiple safety controls while performing Brazilian Keratin Treatment. Sentry Air Systems and its equipment is not deemed a determining source of whether or not your facility or operation is “safe” or meets any federal, state, or any additional authority’s guidelines concerning formaldehyde control in correlation with Brazilian Keratin Treatment. According to the National Cancer Institute, Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen and is associated with lung disease and other serious illnesses. It is the individual’s sole responsibility to confirm the suitability of the equipment for their particular application. Proper maintenance, which entails changing the carbon filter on a frequent basis, is essential to ensure the equipment is functioning correctly. There is no guarantee that containment with this system will be 100% effective. If you are allergic or sensitive to formaldehyde and/or other chemicals used in the Brazilian Keratin Treatment, please consult a health professional. **
This presentation has been compiled in good faith by Sentry Air Systems, Inc; and no representation is made as to the completeness or accuracy of the information it contains. In particular, you should be aware that this information may be incomplete, may contain errors or may have become out of date. Sentry Air Systems, Inc. makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information. Sentry Air Systems, Inc. reserves the right to add, modify or delete any information at this website at any time. This publication and any references to products are provided "as is" without any warranty or implied term of any kind. Regarding Sentry Air Systems’ Fume Extraction Equipment:
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