Pollution Prevention Workshop for the Salon Industry

May 30, 2011

On May 30, 2011, the University of Arizona (UA) Dean Carter Binational Center for Environmental Health Sciences (Binational Center) and the UA Superfund Research Program (SRP), in conjunction with the Sonora Environmental Research Institute, Inc. (SERI), hosted an “Eco-Friendly Beauty and Nail Salon Training.” Sixteen local members of the beauty and nail salon industry attended the workshop to learn more about how to achieve “more clients, healthier environment” in their businesses.

In 2008, SERI and the UA SRP received a US EPA Pollution Prevention Grant which funded this workshop. The mission of the grant is to “reduce the amount of hazardous substances entering the environment, conserve energy and water, and improve the environmental health of the community.”   The outreach component focuses on promotoras, or community health advocates, who work with the UA and SERI to educate local businesses on pollution prevention issues.

The workshop was moderated by Mónica Ramírez-Andreotta, UA SRP graduate trainee. Lourdes Vea represented SERI and provided an overview of the Pollution Prevention Grant. Naomi Miller, owner of The Source Salon and Spa, gave a presentation on why eco-friendly choices are important, and how salon and spa owners can start making “green” changes in their businesses. Kaelen Johnson, Director of the Pure Aesthetics Skin Care School, where the workshop was held, spoke about committing to choosing natural products for skin care. Denise Moreno Ramírez, Outreach Coordinator for the UA SRP and Binational Center, gave a presentation on the incentives and steps required for local businesses to achieve the City of Tucson’s “Green Business Certification.” Participants were encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback on the issues discussed.

The salon workshop and a prior workshop in the Pollution Prevention series were highlighted by the University of Arizona Office of University Communications in the UANews: http://www.uanews.org/node/40078