Assessment of Chemical Safety and Chemical Security Preparedness in Select Beauty Care Facilities in Nairobi City, Kenya

Abstract

The surging use of chemical-based cosmetics in rapidly growing urban beauty facilities has raised significant concerns regarding occupational and chemical safety, chemical security, and environmental pollution. Despite the widespread exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals, limited oversight and awareness of the associated risks among salon attendants remain. This study assessed the chemical safety and security preparedness in selected beauty care facilities in Nairobi City, Kenya. It utilized structured questionnaires, observational checklists, and interviews to evaluate chemical usage, safety practices, waste management, regulatory compliance, and awareness levels. The study found widespread use of chemicals of concern (CoCs) with known health risks or links to chemical weapon precursors. Most beauty care facilities demonstrated poor chemical safety practices, such as insufficient use of personal protective equipment (PPE), inadequate ventilation, improper storage, and unregulated waste disposal. Common health issues included skin irritation, eye discomfort, and respiratory problems, which are associated primarily with prolonged chemical exposure. The Spearman Rank Order correlation studies revealed significant relationships between key variables at a 0.05 significance level. Attendees’ satisfaction with chemical safety measures correlated moderately with frequent PPE usage (r = 0.558). Knowledge of chemical hazards was linked to prior training (r = 0.448) and longer exposure to chemicals (r = 0.355). Frequent PPE use correlated noticeably with waste segregation (r = 0.347), while longer chemical exposure was associated with more health issues (r = 0.367). Negative correlations showed that longer chemical exposure was linked to poor waste segregation (r = −0.384), while limited knowledge of chemical hazards correlated with more reported health issues (r = −0.349). The findings point to targeted safety training, stricter enforcement of occupational health regulations, and enhanced chemical security. Improving compliance with OSHA and OPCW guidelines, promoting sustainable waste management, and raising awareness of chemical hazards are essential to strengthening safety standards in the beauty industry.