Our Work

Exploration of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) exposure by associated members

• • Manuscript publication: Zhong L, Batterman S, Milando CW. VOC sources and exposures in nail salons: a pilot study in Michigan, USA. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2019;92(1):141-153. doi:10.1007/s00420-018-1353-0

Request of the information for 2015-2016 citation from NIOSH following the Freedom of Information Act

• • Knowledge gained for MHNSC team about the number of citations and primary citation source of nail salons in Michigan

Student Research Opportunities

• • Student led manuscript: 

    • Dang JV, Rosemberg MS, Le AB. Perceived work exposures and expressed intervention needs among Michigan nail salon workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2021;94(8):2001-2013. doi:10.1007/s00420-021-01719-6

  • Students learn research skills (transcribing and coding qualitative data; manuscript development and submission for publication)

  • Development and submission of MLEEad proposal for training phase 1

  • Development of multi-lingual brochures on various topics (e.g. bloodborne pathogens, ergonomics, fungus, chemical exposure)

Local and international conference presentations

• • Increased connections and visibility about worker exposure and MHNSC; partnership building & strengthening with external partners

Training module on chemical exposure for Nail Salon Workers (Phase 1)

• Feedback and module piloting from 4 Nail Salon Worker occupational health nursing students and industrial hygiene students

• Development & submission of Graham Sustainability Catalyst grant application (Phase 2)

Yearly Healthy Nail Salon seminar (University of Michigan course code EHS 796)

• Graduate-level seminar course on special topics in Environmental Health Sciences

• Students do hands-on work in the community by completing workplace assessment

• Students learn to develop walkthrough checklist reports

• Students contribute to the development of nail salon lists in southeast Michigan

Connecting with local nail salons in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area in person

• Meetings held in the community (e.g. local library, nail salons, conference rooms, virtually) with owners and workers to discuss needs and concerns

• Information (e.g. on rights) provided to owner to help with business sustainability

• Distribution of translated brochures on various topics (e.g. ergonomics, bloodborne pathogens, chemical exposure, etc.)

• Provision of findings and recommendations from students' walkthrough assessment to nail salon owners