City Official Joins Public Advocate Letitia James In Call For Better Safety For Nail Salon Workers

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A recently released report says nail salons could be making New Yorkers sick.

As WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reported, one city official wants everyone to know what's in all those little bottles.

Charlene Obernauer, who heads the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, said the state's 5,000 nail salons use a toxic cocktail of chemicals, including "Formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen...and toluene, which causes reproductive and nervous system problems."

Customers are exposed to these chemicals when they get their nails done, but New York City Public Advocate Letitia James said nail salon workers are especially at risk.

"The intensity of exposure for salon workers is 1,200 times what it would be for the average American," she said.

James now wants more state inspectors to keep an eye on the health and safety of nail salon workers.

"We only have 27 in the state," she said.

James also wants better education for the workers who should be wearing gloves and face masks, Silverman reported.

"Employees must know they have a right to information about the chemicals they're handling and how best to protect themselves," James said.

James released the nail salon report on Monday.

Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com: