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Began with 20 women fleeing the war in Vietnam to meet a Hollywood Starlet, Tippi Hedren, in a Sacramento refugee camp who helped them find their dream occupation. In 1975, Thuan Li, 1 st Vietnamese female to receive a Manicurist license.

In 1983, Henry and Mai Huynh (husband and wife), founded Happy Nails Company where they manage over 60 salons, providing employment for over 1500 persons.

In 1985, Diem and Kien Nguyen (husband and wife), also opened a Nail Salon and later founded the Advance Beauty College in Little Saigon, Orange County in Their children, Tam Nguyen and Linh Nguyen, continued the family beauty school as the second generation owners.

In 1997, “Charlie” Quy Ton, opened 1st nail salon inside Wal-Mart Store. The franchise currently has more than 940 locations in the retail powerhouse.

Cash business. Does not require high English proficiency. Flexible work schedule. Growing number of Vietnamese owners shops who employ other Vietnamese nail technicians. Inexpensive, readily-available and relatively short training required. More Vietnamese beauty schools instructors. Manicuring Program is Short, Fast, Easy and Affordable

In the global economy: Beauty industry makes approximately $60 billion USD in annual sales More than five times higher than movie box office revenue Employs over 1.6 million professionals Nail salons: more than $6 billion USD of total sales Employ over 155,000 licensed professionals

In the global economy: Beauty industry makes approximately $60 billion USD in annual sales More than five times higher than movie box office revenue Employs over 1.6 million professionals Nail salons: more than $6 billion USD of total sales Employ over 155,000 licensed professionals Can become small business owners Connect to their community Easy to earn income Fast and easy to get license Flexible working hours Language barrier Paying cash The work is enjoyable

In USA: 43% of Vietnamese-Americans work in the Nail Salon Industry. * In 2007, there are 347,898 licensed nail technicians. In California: 80% of Vietnamese-Americans work in the Nail Salon Industry = 3,900 manicurists 2002 = 39,600 manicurists 2004 = 83,500 manicurists 2009 = manicurists

Environmental Health Reproductive Health Public Health Occupational Health Workplace Issues

Multitude of the chemical exposure: * Frequent exposures throughout the day Poor indoor air quality: * Insufficient ventilation

Birth Defect & other adverse reproductive outcomes: * Phthalates transferred across the placental barrier * Toxins passed to newborns when breastfeeding * Miscarriages * Low-birth weight babies Cancer: * Exposures include carcinogens

Acute Symptoms and Illnesses: * Respiratory illnesses * Difficulty in breathing * Rashes and skin irritation Ergonomic Problem: * Carpal tunnel, back pains

Lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate material and training. Inadequate attention to health symptoms leading to chronic illness.

Salon Outreach Educational Forum Industry Representation in dealing with occupational issues

Alameda County Public Health Nursing Asian Advocacy Project of Community Action Marin Asian Americans for Civil Rights & Equality Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice Asian Health Services Asian Law Caucus Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum Asian Pacific American Legal Center Bay Area and Southern California Nail Salon Workers & Owners Breast Cancer Action Breast Cancer Fund CA Department of Public Health, HESIS California Pan Ethnic Health Network Center for Environmental Health Coalition for Clean Air Environmental Finance Center, Region 9 National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum Northern California Cancer Center Orange County Asian Pacific Islander Community Alliance Planned Parenthood Golden Physicians for Social Responsibility – L.A. United Food & Commercial Workers – Local 5 United Hair and Nail Association U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 Women’s Voices of the Earth Work-safe