Assessment of VOCs, PM10, and Formaldehyde Exposure in the Hair Salons of South Korea

ORIGINAL ARTICLE Introduction: In hair salons, workers and customers are exposed to high concentrations of several chemical compounds used during the working environment. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and formaldehyde are the major chemicals that alter the indoor air quality. This study aimed to assess the indoor air quality in hair salons of Gimhae, South Korea. Materials and Methods: To conduct the study, six hair salons were monitored for VOCs, formaldehyde, and PM10. The study was conducted from August to November 2017. Results: The findings showed higher concentrations of formaldehyde (> 0.50 ppm) and VOCs (> 0.08ppm) compared to EPA standard exposure limit; whereas PM10 was < 150 μg/m 3 . Conclusion: Based on the findings, the ventilation systems were insufficient in the selected salons. Adequate ventilation and control facilities should be advised in applying the chemical products to observe the safety of workers and customers of hair salon and to sustain better indoor air quality. Article History: Received: 19 August 2020 Accepted: 20 October 2020


Introduction
Indoor air quality and pollution is one of the current global public health concerns. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), formaldehyde, and carbon dioxide are the major chemicals that alter the indoor air quality. Workers and customers are exposed to high concentrations of several chemicals' compounds used in the hair salons 1 . In hair salons, many chemical products are used that may lead to indoor air pollution and may result in adverse health effects. Salon workers absorb these chemicals through their skin and breathe them in as fumes build up in the salon air throughout the workday 2 . This leads to occupational health exposure to workers and customers. In expansion to CO, formaldehyde and NO 2, asbestos, radon, mercury, unstable natural compounds, allergens, tobacco smoke, microscopic organism and infections are the most supporters to indoor air contamination in industrialized nations. Chemical exposures were described in only a few studies that focused on the hairdressing salons. Formaldehyde was classified as a potential carcinogen that can also cause sensory and respiratory irritation [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] . Hypersensitive or allergic reactions, skin rashes, eye and mucous membrane irritation, and odor annoyance arise due to formaldehyde. Nausea, dizziness, eye, respiratory tract, mucous membrane irritation (rhinitis), headache, and fatigue are caused by VOCs exposure 3,5,7,10,11 . Salon specialists are uncovered to an assortment of chemicals each day in their working environment. Hair splashes, lasting waves, and various other salon items contain fixings related with asthma, dermatitis, neurological indications and indeed cancer 4,12 . Wellbeing impacts from indoor air pollutants may be experienced before long after presentation or a long time afterward 13 . A few wellbeing impacts may appear up in no time after a single introduction or rehashed exposures to a poison. These incorporate aggravation of the eyes, nose, and throat, cerebral pains, discombobulation, and weakness. Such prompt impacts are ordinarily short-term and treatable. Respiratory illnesses, heart infection, and cancer can be seriously weakening or deadly. In-depth study about this is required to way better get it the wellbeing impacts that happen after presentation to the pollutants concentrations found in homes and the impacts that happen after presentation to higher concentrations in brief periods of time 14,15 .

Rationale of the study
Indoor air pollution is one of the major research priorities for researchers. Globally, many people are exposed to indoor air pollution that leads to serious health problems. Limited research was conducted in hair salons regarding indoor air quality. Thus, it might be helpful to use the findings of this study to project new regulations and programs to secure the health of workers and customers of hair salons. The main aim of this research was to assess the indoor air pollutants exposure in hair salons of Gimhae, South Korea.

Study Location
The study was conducted from August to November 2017 in Gimhae, South Korea. Gimhae is located in South Gyeongsang province of South Korea. The study location is illustrated in figure 1.

Selection of salons
Purposive and convenience sampling technique was used for selecting the salons. Simple random sampling method was applied and six hair salons were selected from Gimhae, South Korea. Later, the indoor air quality was assessed in these salons. Chemical substances chosen for investigation were VOCs, formaldehyde, and PM 10 .

Measurement of PM 10 , VOCS and Formaldehyde
Mini volume PM10 sampler (ES Engineering Co., South Korea) was used to particulate matter (PM 10 ) measurement; whereas, formaldemeter (XP-308B, Saehan Inc., South Korea) was applied to monitor formaldehyde. Portable handled VOC monitor (PGM-7600, RAE Koera Inc., South Korea) was used to measure VOCs. Ventilation facilities in the salons were also checked during the assessment of indoor air quality.

Sample collection
The sample time for monitoring formaldehyde and VOCs was taken as 30 min and two consecutive measurements were performed. First measurement was done when there were no customers and the second measurement was performed in the presence of customers. The sample time for monitoring PM 10 was taken as 6 h and one measurement were performed with no adjustment using tweezers from 1.2 -1.5m from the floor. Pre-experiment filter was weighted as 0.1265 g.
The PM 10 sample was allowed to dry for three days then the dried sample was weighted and enclosed in Para film, which was wrapped for three days after being enclosed. After drying for three days, sample measurement was performed and PM 10 was calculated using this formula: (Average value after measurement -Average value before measurement) 10 6 Flux (1/min) time (min) 10 -3 In our study, the measured values of PM 10 , VOCs, and formaldehyde were compared with the standard exposure limit values given by the Environmental Protection Agency 14 .
Ethical issues were discussed and ethical approval was obtained from Inje University (IRB No. 17-A-00004447) and respective hair salons. The purpose and findings of the study were explained to the respondents in details.

Results
Salons with a large size had more customers per day as compared to the small salons ( Table 1). The ventilation system in all selected hair salons was insufficient after observation. The results of formaldehyde and VOCs concentration are presented in table 2. All measurements were done inside the room. Table 2 shows the concentration level of formaldehyde and VOCs before and after the sample collection.  Particulate matter (PM 10 ) is another major factor influencing the indoor air quality. Particulate matter was measured by two sampling; before and after presence of the customers. Sample measurement was performed five times before and after the situation. The mean value of PM 10 concentration before and after monitoring is displayed in table 3. The results of the study as compared with the EPA standard exposure limit showed that the indoor air quality of the studied salons was inadequate and above the exposure limits as shown in table 4.

Discussion
Formaldehyde and VOCs were higher than the standard value in all hair salons. Regarding formaldehyde, the highest value was 2.09 ppm in salon 5 and regarding VOCs, the highest rate was 4.108 ppm in salon 2. However, the PM 10 was found to be lower than the exposure standard. A similar study from Athens, Greece reported lower concentrations of formaldehyde than the detection limit of the method in all salons (< 0.05 ppm) 16 . Ventilation is the most essential factor in controlling the indoor air pollution. Our study showed that the ventilation system was insufficient in all selected hair salons. According to the previous studies, ventilation is the most crucial factor for enhancing the indoor air quality in salons [15][16][17][18] .
Another finding of this study showed that exposure to VOCs had an association with increased levels of serum C-reactive protein and decreased heart rate variability (HRV) indices. The effect of VOCs exposure on the health parameters was higher during the days on which the participants were working 1 , which is supported by our findings (VOCs level is above in both salons). Cora Roelofs found that introduction to a few chemical compounds was higher when hair passing on was performed. Beauticians were uncovered to minimum air levels exposure with huge number of chemical substances generally related to hair passing on 15 .
This is the main source of concerns for the customers and hairdressers because of the possible health impact.
The study conducted in 12 monitored hair salons indicated that the level of VOC concentrations was mostly affected by the type of products used while the area per customer and ventilation efficiency had less impact on the VOC levels 19 . Exposure limits may well be diminished significantly by performing certain activities: utilizing great ventilation within the working region by keeping all the excellence items in an isolated room 8,9,15,17,18 , closing the bundles of excellence items after utilize, and at last selecting items without solid odor [6][7][8]16 .
According to the environmental protection agency (EPA, 2016), the exposure limits value for various chemical compounds varied depending upon the facilities. The exposure value for formaldehyde, VOCs, and PM 10 in various facilities are shown in table 5. Public areas are very sensitive to the health impacts caused by different types of air pollutants. In our study, VOCs and formaldehyde were higher than the exposure level, which may be influenced by the outdoor air environment. The literature showed that outdoor air pollution had some impacts on indoor air quality in urban areas 5-7, 20, 21 .

Conclusion
The concentration levels of formaldehyde and VOCs were comparatively above the EPA standard exposure limits. Ventilation system was found to be poor. Although the study was conducted in only six salons, it provides some evidences of the indoor air quality in hair salons, which may easily affect the workers and customers' health. Routine monitoring of air quality, proper ventilation systems, and low uses of beauty chemical products are highly recommended to reach the good indoor air quality in hair salons and minimize the occupational exposure.