Salon fume extraction for formaldehyde fumes associated with BKT and Brazilian blowout treatments.

HOUSTON, Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent research conducted by The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration has given salon owners and stylists a reason to exercise caution when performing hair straightening treatments like Brazilian keratin treatments and Brazilian blowouts.

Throughout the months of September and October, a number of salons in the Portland, Oregon area submitted samples of Brazilian blowout solutions to Oregon Health and Science University's Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology (CROET). One of these products claimed to be "formaldehyde-free" and the other samples came with a material safety data sheet that did not list any hazardous ingredients. The salon employees that submitted the samples complained of experiencing health effects such as "difficulty breathing, nose bleeds and eye irritation", according to CROET. Oregon OSHA tested these samples and found "significant levels" (up to 10.6%) of formaldehyde in both the product itself and the air samples taken during application of the product. In a recent press release, Oregon OSHA states that these exposure levels are higher than the recommended limits suggested by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health as well as the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists.

Formaldehyde is considered a carcinogen by the National Cancer Institute. According to this organization, the short-term health effects associated with formaldehyde exposure "at levels exceeding 0.1 ppm" (parts per million) are "watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat; coughing; wheezing; nausea; and skin irritation." Recent studies have shown an association between formaldehyde exposure and cancers such as nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia.

Sentry Air Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer of air purification equipment, offers a triple-stage fume extraction system engineered specifically to reduce exposure during Brazilian keratin treatment and related hair treatments. The Model SS-300-BKT is designed to pull fumes away from the respiratory zones of the client and stylist and into the unit's filtration system, which is composed of a MERV 11 pre-filter, a 95% ASHRAE filter (efficient down to .5 microns), and finally a heavy-duty activated carbon filter that scrubs the chemical fumes.

For more information on this system, please visit www.bktformaldehyde.com or call Melissa Vaughn at Sentry Air Systems at 1.800.799.4609.

For updates from Oregon Health and Science University's Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology, visit: www.ohsu.edu/xd/research/centers-institutes/croet/emerging-issues-and-alerts.cfm.

Sentry Air Systems, Inc. is a Houston-based manufacturer of high quality floor, bench top, mounted and portable air purification devices. For additional information, please contact us at 1-800-799-4609 or 713-690-2153.

http://www.sentryair.com  

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com.  For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

SOURCE Sentry Air Systems, Inc.

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