What is the Link between the Beauty Industry and Occupational Disease?
Published on Posted onWhat is the Link between the Beauty Industry and Disease?
Workers in the beauty industry are vulnerable to several health risks due to the presence of toxic substances like volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These substances, including aromatics, ketones, esters, and ammonium compounds, are commonly found in products such as hair sprays, dyes, nail polishes, and cosmetic items. These risks can lead to severe conditions, such as bladder and urothelial cancer, respiratory disorders, leukemia, and lung diseases. Alarmingly, one study reported that 88.5% of beauty industry workers reported health problems after starting work in this field.
Are you at Risk of an Occupational Disease?
Table 1. The following table outlines at-risk occupations within the beauty industry, common toxic agents in these workplaces and conditions and/or symptoms associated with chemical exposures.
| At-risk Occupations | Toxic agents | Sources of Exposure | Associated Conditions or Symptoms |
| Hair, Nail and Beauty Salons | Acetaldehyde | – Oral cancer – Pharyngeal cancer – Oesophageal cancer – Liver cancer – Colon cancer – Rectal cancer – Breast cancer | – Hair straighteners – Nail polish – Perfumes – Deodorants |
| Formaldehyde | – Hair straighteners – Nail polish – Nail glue – Eyelash glue – Hair gel – Hair-smoothing products – Baby shampoo – Body soap – Body wash | – Asthma – Contact Dermatitis – Myeloid Cancer – Paranasal sinus cancer – Nasal cavity cancer – Nasopharynx cancer | |
| Ammonia | Hair dyes | – Nasal irritation – Epiglottic, laryngeal, pharyngeal, tracheal, and pulmonary oedema – Breathlessness – Wheezing – Coughing – Pneumonia | |
| Benzene | – Hair sprays – Aerosol sunscreens – Hand sanitisers – Antiperspirants and deodorants – Spray shampoos and conditioners | – Acute lymphocytic leukemia – Chronic lymphocytic leukemia – Multiple myeloma – Non-Hodgkin lymphoma | |
| Makeup Artistry | Coal Tar | – Hair dyes – Eyeliners – Mascaras – Lipsticks and coloured cosmetics – Face powders and foundations | – Lung cancer – Skin cancer – Bladder cancer |
| Ethylene Oxide | – Aerosol products, such as hair spray, airbrush makeup or setting sprays | – Respiratory irritation – Skin irritations – Headaches and dizziness – Eye irritation – Leukemia – Lymphoma | |
| Latex | – Latex gloves – Adhesives and eyelash glue – Latex-based makeup products including some foundations, powders and face paints | – Allergic contact dermatitis – Latex allergy – Asthma | |
| Solariums* | – Tanning beds and booths UV lamps | – Skin cancer – Premature aging – Cataract |
*Please note that commercial solariums were banned in all Australian states (except the Northern Territory) in January 2015. However, this commercial ban does not affect the personal ownership or use of solariums.
Your Entitlement to Compensation – What can you do if you work in the Beauty Industry?
A worker diagnosed with any of the above conditions may be entitled to WorkCover compensation based on the nature of their (current or former) employment.
It must be shown that the nature of your employment significantly increased the risk of you developing a certain occupational disease, rather than needing to prove that your current or past employment with a specific employer is the actual cause.
A worker diagnosed with an occupational disease may be entitled to claim WorkCover compensation for:
- Weekly loss of income benefits
- Medical and like expenses
- Impairment Benefit (no fault lump sum)
- In some circumstances, damages for pain and suffering and loss of earnings
You may also be entitled to other benefits regardless of whether you qualify for WorkCover compensation, including total and permanent disablement benefits from your superannuation policy.
What are the Next Steps?
If you think you have an occupational disease, you should see your general practitioner or specialist to determine if you have any conditions or diseases that may be due to the nature of your employment.
It is important that you give an occupational history.
Given that the period between exposure and the onset of symptoms can be lengthy, early preventative measures and detection is recommended. We also recommend that you contact our legal team who can help support you through this process.
