What’s The Big Deal About Nail Dust
Sure, nail dust getting everywhere is annoying and a hassle but there’s a more important problem.
You know how nail dust smells terrible? You only know that because you’re inhaling it.
Both OSHA and the CDC recommend the use of portable ventilation machines to pull dust from the air for the safety of the technician.
How Do You Remove Nail Dust
According to an OSHA pamphlet, normal dust or surgical masks will not cut when it comes to nail dust. Your best bet is to keep the dust from entering the air in the first place with a vacuum and filter system.
A fine filter is key to not simply re-releasing that dust from the back of your extractor.
Is Nail Dust Dangerous
Well, when the CDC and OSHA say to avoid a thing, yeah it generally means it’s dangerous. Multiple studies have shown that many nail technicians who regularly sculpted artificial nails go on to develop occupational asthma.
So breathing in the dust of both nail particulates and nail extension chemicals can be harmful to your health with repeated exposure.
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What’s The Difference Between Nail Dust Vacuums And Fume Extractors
A dust vacuum’s job is to extract harmful nail dust from the air by sucking in air and passing it through a filter.
A fume extractor is more concerned with removing chemical fumes, which is also a problem in nail salons. This often involves a much more intensive filter and removing the air from the immediate vicinity instead of just passing it through a filter to remove dust.
Can Nail Dust Make You Sick
It actually can. Beyond toxic chemicals, studies have shown that bacteria, microbes, and fungus found in nails can become airborne in nail dust and infect your airways.
A 2014 study found increased amounts of yeast, staph, and common nail fungi in the respiratory tracts of podiatrists who use nail drills than a control group.
That’s supremely disturbing.
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What Is Nail Dust Made Of
Nail dust is created any time you file down nails or nail extensions. A traditional manual nail file creates dust but a nail drill machine, used for shaping extensions and removing acrylic, nail dipping powder, or nail builder gel creates enough dust that it’s a problem.
If you’ve ever used a nail drill you know that dust is going to end everywhere. It covers your entire work area and you end up getting covered in it.
Remember, nail dust is also made during pedicures too so don’t neglect to get some sort of vacuum system when you’re shopping for portable pedicure chairs.
