Lawmaker Wants State To Take Closer Look At Nail Salons

There are more than 8,000 nail salons in California. And a state lawmaker announced a new effort Thursday to take a closer look at them. 

Democratic Assemblyman David Chiu says a newly created task force will look at the health, safety and working conditions of the more 8,000 nail salons in California.

Chiu says nail polish is often made with toxic chemicals. But he says the nearly 100,000 nail technicians in the state may not know about the potential health effects of prolonged exposure.

"The vast majority of these workers are immigrant women who are toiling around the clock at low wages," he says. "Many of whom may not even be aware of the toxic chemicals that they’re being exposed to."

The task force will work through the fall with a goal of developing state legislation for next year.

Chiu says several counties have programs in place that promote safer products and recognize salons that use them.