Nail salons are great for keeping hails healthy and looking pretty.
However, they emit strong chemical odors from the products being used. Exposure to these fumes is also a health hazard for customers and workers.
So, can an air purifier help with the acrylic smell in nail salons?
Air purifiers can remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as chemical pollutants. However, it must have the right filters, as some are infective against gaseous contaminants.
Air purifiers with carbon filters are the best option for dealing with fumes and other chemical pollutants found in a nail salon.
Another option you can consider is electrostatic air purifiers, which are also effective in dealing with VOCs.
This guide is designed to help you understand the kind of compounds you are dealing with in a nail salon and how to eliminate them using an air purifier.
Contents
Are the fumes in a nail salon harmful?
The fumes inside a nail salon are produced by the products used, such as nail polish, nail files, nail polish removers, nail primers, and UV lights.
In addition, the process of cleaning and disinfecting products used to keep the salon tidy can also produce chemical smells.
But to know whether these fumes are harmful or not, it is important to understand what they are.
Here is a look at some of the most common chemical gases you can find inside a nail salon.
1. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a VOC found in nail polish and nail hardeners.
Exposure can lead to allergic reactions, irritation to the eyes, skin, and throat, difficulty breathing, coughing, and asthma-like symptoms.
2. Acetone
Acetone is a chemical that is found in nail polish remover.
It can cause dizziness and eye, skin, and throat irritation. In some cases, prolonged exposure can lead to headaches.
3. Toluene
Toluene is a chemical found in fingernail glue and nail polish.
It can cause headaches, dizziness, and eye irritation. It can also cause damage to the kidneys and livers.
4. Methacrylic acid
Methacrylic acid is a chemical found in nail primers that improves nail polish’s longevity.
Prolonged exposure to this chemical can cause skin burns and eye, nose, and mouth irritation.
5. Ethyl methacrylate
Ethyl methacrylate is a chemical used in fake nails and artificial nail liquid.
It can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, and mouth. It can also trigger asthma.
6. Quaternary ammonium compounds
Quaternary ammonium compounds are found in disinfectants used to clean nail salons. It can cause skin, nose, and eye irritation and even trigger asthma.
Exposure to these chemical fumes can lead to serious health issues in the long term. Some, such as formaldehyde, can even cause cancer, according to cancer.gov.
Therefore, removing them from the air is imperative before they build up to dangerous levels. This is where air purifiers come into play.
Which is the best nail salon air purifier?
There are several air purifiers that you can use to remove chemical fumes from nail salons. Below are some of the best options in the market:
1. Alen BreatheSmart 75i air purifier
Alen BreatheSmart 75i air purifier is the best solution for anyone looking for a device to remove chemical fumes in nail salons.
It comes with 3.6 pounds of activated carbon, which offers excellent adsorption capacity for VCOs.
It also has five modes, including a turbo mode, thus allowing you to purify the air in large salon spaces.
The Alen BreatheSmart 75i air purifier is not just ideal for dealing with chemical pollutants.
It also comes with a true HEPA 13 filter, which neutralizes other pollutants such as dust, dander, allergen, mold, bacteria, and viruses.
3. Hathaspace Smart air purifier
Hathaspace Smart Air Purifier is another excellent option to keep the air in your nail salon clean and safe.
It comes with four filters, two of which target harmful chemicals such as the ones found in nail salons.
The first filter is the cold catalyst filter, which targets VOCs such as benzene, formaldehyde, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia.
The other is the activated carbon filter, which absorbs gases, odors, and a wide range of harmful VCOs.
As a bonus, you get two other filters, a HEPA pre-filter for large particle pollutants and an H11 True HEPA filter for small particle pollutants.
This combination of filters will remove harmful chemical fumes and other typical airborne pollutants from your salon.
3. Salon Pure Air 1 portable purifier
Salon Pure Air I is a portable air purifier that functions as a nail salon fumes extractor. Its primary purpose is to remove harmful chemicals.
It comes equipped with a 3-inch diameter extractor, which sucks in the air from the nail salon.
In addition, the air purifier features an adsorption module with 7lbs of adsorbent material made from a special blend of materials for chemical fumes removal.
The Salon Pure 1 air purifier also comes with a pre-filter and a HEPA filter to eliminate other air pollutants.
On top of that, it is powered by a high-speed fan, which can deliver a large airflow of up to 350 CFM.
Where to place an air purifier in a nail salon
A good air purifier is necessary to eliminate the chemical fumes from your nail salon. However, you must also place it in the right location to guarantee maximum results.
Typically, the best place to place an air purifier is an area with high airflow, for example, near a doorway or a window. The high airflow provides enough energy to lift pollutants.
However, when it comes to nail salons, you also must consider where the chemical fumes are most concentrated.
These will be the workstations where the customers are getting their nails done.
Your air purifier should also be raised about 3 to 4 feet from the ground for increased efficiency. This is because air moves from the ground up as it is heated.
Final thoughts
Are you looking for an air purifier for acrylic smell in your nail salon? The guide above should help you choose what works best for you.
With these air purifiers for nail salons, you won’t have to worry about the pungent fumes causing discomfort to your customers and employees.
Some of them are also quite harmful, especially after prolonged exposure. However, you can remove these chemical pollutants with an air purifier, keeping the air clean and safe.
However, not all air purifiers are ideal for chemical fumes removal in nail salons. The right one should have a chemical absorption module, such as an activated carbon filter.
You should also find an optimal location, preferably near where the nails are getting done.