Under the Salon Lights: Assessment of Occupational Exposure to PAHs and Potential Health Risk—First Results

This study characterised the profiles of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the indoor air of hairdressing, beauty, and nail salons and assessed the associated incremental cancer risk (ILCR). A distinctly divergent exposure pattern, particular to the nature of the service, was exhibited: light PAHs, notably naphthalene, prevailed in nail salons, while in hairdressing salons, the profile was thermally conditioned, with a preponderance of polycyclic compounds such as fluoranthene, pyrene, and benzo(g,h,i)perylene. The most severe, carcinogenic profile (including benzo(a)anthracene and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene) and the highest individual ILCR value (3.3 × 10−6) were observed in a beauty salon, though nail salons also exhibited elevated risk levels (1.9 × 10−6). In all premises, however, ILCR remained below the 10−5 threshold. The findings are consistent with earlier reports indicating that beauty salons are complex microenvironments with multiple concurrent emission sources, with significant contributions from cosmetic products and thermal processes in determining pollutant concentrations. The findings underscore the necessity for preventive measures customised to the nature of the salon, such as product substitution and enhanced general and local ventilation. Moreover, they highlight the imperative for further research to be conducted into personal exposure over extended time frames.