Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Spontaneous abortions among cosmetologists

E M John1, D A Savitz, C M Shy

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)
|March 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Working in cosmetology during pregnancy is linked to adverse outcomes like spontaneous abortion. Increased hours, chemical exposure, and specific salon tasks heighten risks for pregnant cosmetologists.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Association of gene variant type and location with breast cancer risk in the general population.

Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology·2025
Same author

Pregnancy and the risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 infection: methodological challenges and research recommendations.

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology·2021
Same author

Cardiovascular severe maternal morbidity in pregnant and postpartum women: development and internal validation of risk prediction models.

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology·2020
Same author

Only some questions of cause and effect can be evaluated in highly selected populations.

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology·2017
Same author

Association of lifestyle and demographic factors with estrogenic and glucocorticogenic activity in Mexican American women.

Carcinogenesis·2016
Same author

Maternal influenza and birth outcomes: systematic review of comparative studies.

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology·2016

Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health
  • Reproductive Epidemiology
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • The cosmetology industry involves significant exposure to chemicals.
  • Potential risks to reproductive health among cosmetologists are not fully understood.
  • Previous studies have suggested links between occupational exposures and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between occupational exposures in cosmetology during pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
  • To identify specific job-related factors in cosmetology that may increase the risk of spontaneous abortion.

Main Methods:

  • A mail survey was conducted among 8,356 licensed female cosmetologists in North Carolina (ages 22-36).
  • Pregnancies occurring between 1983 and 1988 were identified and detailed questionnaires were administered.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis focused on 96 cosmetologists with spontaneous abortions and 547 with livebirths, considering full-time work during the first trimester.

    • Main Results:

    • Adjusted odds ratios (1.4-2.0) indicated associations between spontaneous abortion and daily work hours in cosmetology.
    • Performing a higher number of chemical services weekly and using formaldehyde-based disinfectants were linked to increased risk.
    • Working in salons where nail sculpting was performed by others also showed an association with spontaneous abortion.

    Conclusions:

    • Occupational exposures in cosmetology, particularly high work hours and specific chemical services, are associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion.
    • Cosmetologists performing fewer chemical services or working fewer than 35 hours per week did not show significant associations with adverse outcomes.
    • These findings highlight the need for protective measures and awareness regarding reproductive health risks in the cosmetology profession.