The first study to address cancer rates in manicurists, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, was unable to find any evidence that nail salon workers have a greater chance of developing cancer. However, test subjects will continue to be monitored, as the study could still reveal risk over the long term.

The study obtained files for every person licensed for nail care since the 1970’s in California and linked them to a state database with cancer patients from 1988 to 2005. Approximately 9,000 cancer cases were detected among the state’s 325,228 female licensed manicurists. These rates are no higher than in the general population. However, the levels of thyroid cancer and lung cancer were higher for manicurists.

It is important to keep in mind that growth in the nail industry didn’t take off until 1990, which gives the researchers 15 years of data at most, a relatively short amount of time when looking for cancers that could take decades to arise, such as pleural mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. The women in the study were also relatively young, and cancer becomes more prevalent with age.

Nail-care workers are routinely exposed to hazardous chemicals, some of which are known to cause cancer, and manicurists do report health problems, such as eye and skin irritation, breathing problems and headaches. However, pinpointing workplace induced cancer is very difficult. Although exposure to carcinogens is extremely dangerous, only very specific diseases, such as mesothelioma, can be specifically traced back to the source.

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