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

Abstract

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.

Development of health and safety training for Vietnamese American nail salon owners and workers

“…However, given our objective was to pilot the training delivery and obtain feedback on our training modules from Vietnamese owners and workers, our target audience for a subsequent study, we felt that our objective was achieved. In addition, through our follow-up open-ended interview, we were able to obtain rich information about perceived barriers to implementing the interventions, many of which were consistent with previous published qualitative studies about nail salon workers in other regions 5,6,30 . These insights have informed us to identify appropriate resources to support salon owners and workers following the training and engage with relevant local stakeholders such as local government, chamber of commerce, philanthropy to invest in the community to sustain and expand the program.…”

What a mix! Volatile organic compounds and worker exposure in small business beauty salons in Tucson, Arizona

“…More data about workplace exposures in this setting are needed to develop a clearer picture of the fate and transport of these compounds. Additionally, robust workplace policies are needed that protect worker health instead of placing responsibility on them (31). In this study, total VOCs aggregated over the activity-ventilation span ranged from less than the LOD of 1 ppb to a maximum of 76,892 ppb.…”

“…More data about workplace exposures in this setting are needed to develop a clearer picture of the fate and transport of these compounds. Additionally, robust workplace policies are needed that protect worker health instead of placing responsibility on them ( 31 ).…”

“…The results of this study add to the evidence suggesting that salon workers can be exposed to steadily high concentrations of VOCs with periodic very high spikes. Following both the socioecological model of health and the hierarchy of controls, regulation, and inspection of industrial facilities that produce these products and precautionary development of product lines will significantly impact beauticians’ exposures to VOCs more than controls implemented on a shop-by-shop basis ( 31 , 45 ). The results demonstrate that salon settings are incredibly diverse and poorly understood.…”

Studying full-shift inhalation exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) among Latino workers in very small-sized beauty salons and auto repair shops

“…Study participants were recruited door-to-door at local businesses by SERI promotoras from the study area as described previously (26). Promotoras first obtained written permission from the business owner or manager to recruit at the shop.…”