Exposure to BTEX in beauty salons: biomonitoring, urinary excretion, clinical symptoms, and health risk assessments.

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) concentrations were measured in beauty salons (BS) and in the urine of the beauty practitioners and a control group. Indoor and outdoor concentrations of BTEX were measured in 36 randomly selected salons. Before- and after-shift urinary BTEX were measured from one female non-smoker employee in each salon, and repeated three times.

Indoor concentrations of VOCs in beauty salons; association with cosmetic practices and health risk assessment.

Background: The use of cosmetic products in beauty salons emits numerous kinds of toxic air pollutants. The objectives of this study were to measure the concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde in 20 large beauty salons in Tehran and relate the observed concentrations to environmental and occupational characteristics of the salons.

Methods: Samples were collected from inside and outside air of 20 selected salons located in different areas of the city.