Estimation of Excess Inhalation Non‐Cancer and Cancer Risk From Volatile Organic Compound Mixtures in New York City Nail Salons

ABSTRACT

Nail salon workers are acutely and chronically exposed to mixtures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), yet health risks in New York City (NYC) salons have not been systematically assessed. We performed an occupational risk assessment using integrated real‐time total VOC (TVOC) monitoring and chemical‐specific sampling of 11 VOCs across five NYC salons. Median and peak exposures and their 95th percentile (upper‐bound) values were used in non‐cancer and cancer risk models using deterministic and probabilistic approaches. Deterministic non‐cancer risk modeling indicated hazard indices (HIs) were generally below the benchmark value of 1, with exceedances observed only using upper‐bound exposures in the salon with the highest VOC concentrations. The probabilistic non‐cancer assessment showed a similar pattern, with some salons having non‐negligible probabilities of HI exceedance despite median HIs below 1. Deterministic and probabilistic benzene cancer risk assessments indicated exceedances of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) de minimis benchmark under multiple exposure scenarios. Although VOC concentrations were below occupational exposure limits (OELs), incorporating exposure variability and uncertainty identified elevated non‐cancer and cancer risks under certain scenarios. Previous research has linked nail salon work to adverse health effects, including respiratory symptoms and developmental and reproductive effects, suggesting that current OELs may not adequately protect this workforce. Our results highlight the need for improved exposure limits, chemical mixture risk assessment methods, and health protections for nail salon workers.