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San Francisco’s 'Healthy Nail Salon' recognition program highlights safer products, training and ventilation
Summary
Department staff described a Healthy Nail Salon recognition program that promotes polishes free of formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate, provides free ventilation units and training, and markets participating salons; staff said about 25 of ~250 local salons are currently recognized and 5–10 more are in the pipeline.
At the Commission on the Environment meeting May 26, Department staff presented the city’s Healthy Nail Salon recognition program aimed at reducing technician and customer exposure to hazardous nail products.
Anya Deepak, Commercial Toxics Reduction Associate, described the program’s core standards: use of polishes free of the so‑called “toxic trio” — formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate — adoption of safer products and practices, and proper ventilation. “When you buy nail polish, look for polishes without these 3 chemicals,” Deepak said, and added that recognized salons receive safer products, training, certificates and window decals to promote their participation.
Deepak told commissioners the program provides targeted outreach — including a Vietnamese‑language hotline and trainer — because roughly 95 percent of local nail salon technicians are Vietnamese. Staff estimated there are about 250 salons in the city, with roughly 25 already recognized and five to ten more in the pipeline; the recognition process typically takes about six months.
Public commenters urged integration with the Green Business program and requested non‑internet access to program information; staff said the website lists resources and agreed to follow up on phone access for those without internet. The Department continues to promote participating salons through bus‑shelter advertising and online listings at sfenvironment.org/healthynails.
The presentation was informational; no formal Commission action was taken on the program at this meeting.
