Paula Abdul Testifies at Senate Hearing
Political Desk
June 27, 2005
American Idol Judge Paula Abdul Testifies at Senate Committee Hearing in Support of Yee's Bill to Protect Manicure, Pedicure Consumers
Recent Infection Outbreaks Bring Rise to Legislation Establishing Safety Standards
From California to New York, there has been a recent rise in the number people complaining of leg lesions and infections after visiting nail salons. California has been especially hit by the outbreak, with hundreds of women reporting cases of a rare bacterial infection linked to pedicures and manicures.
The most famous such case struck entertainer and American Idol judge Paula Abdul last year. Today she testified about her divesting infection at a hearing in front of the California State Legislature.
"This horrific and debilitating condition was left under my thumb nail as a direct result of the salon using non-sanitized instruments," said Abdul.
Her testimony was in support of Assembly Bill 1263 by Speaker pro Tem Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/Daly City), legislation that will establish minimum safety standards for pedicure and manicure equipment and ensure that such businesses have procedures for the proper, safe, and sanitary operation of spa equipment. AB 1263, which was expected to be approved by the State Senate Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development, calls for the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology to conspicuously display a notice warning consumers if a particular business has received a violation.
"AB 1263 will significantly cut down on the number of infections, but more importantly this bill should give consumers a reasonable sense of protection," said Speaker pro Tem Yee. "It is imperative that we protect the health and safety of all nail salon consumers."
In 1999 and 2000, there was an outbreak of infection from a salon in Watsonville, California, that caused mycobacterial infections in over 100 women. The outbreak was due mainly to the lack of cleaning the pedicure equipment properly. In November 2004, a growing number of people in San Jose began complaining about leg lesions and infections on their legs. The current assessment is that 27 salons are involved with over 120 people infected.
There are many Environment Protection Agency registered disinfectant products available to the beauty industry containing the proper enzymatic and surfactant cleaners. AB 1263 will require the use of such disinfectants as well as set up a notification requirement to customers that proper cleaning and disinfection procedures have been followed.
"Clearly this is a public safety issue that needs to be addressed," said Speaker pro Tem Yee. "To prevent another outbreak, I urge the State Senate and the Governor to quickly pass and sign this bill into law."
There are 83,500 manicurists licensed through the state Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. AB 1263 now must be approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee before a full vote of the Senate.
Recent Infection Outbreaks Bring Rise to Legislation Establishing Safety Standards
From California to New York, there has been a recent rise in the number people complaining of leg lesions and infections after visiting nail salons. California has been especially hit by the outbreak, with hundreds of women reporting cases of a rare bacterial infection linked to pedicures and manicures.
The most famous such case struck entertainer and American Idol judge Paula Abdul last year. Today she testified about her divesting infection at a hearing in front of the California State Legislature.
"This horrific and debilitating condition was left under my thumb nail as a direct result of the salon using non-sanitized instruments," said Abdul.
Her testimony was in support of Assembly Bill 1263 by Speaker pro Tem Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/Daly City), legislation that will establish minimum safety standards for pedicure and manicure equipment and ensure that such businesses have procedures for the proper, safe, and sanitary operation of spa equipment. AB 1263, which was expected to be approved by the State Senate Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development, calls for the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology to conspicuously display a notice warning consumers if a particular business has received a violation.
"AB 1263 will significantly cut down on the number of infections, but more importantly this bill should give consumers a reasonable sense of protection," said Speaker pro Tem Yee. "It is imperative that we protect the health and safety of all nail salon consumers."
In 1999 and 2000, there was an outbreak of infection from a salon in Watsonville, California, that caused mycobacterial infections in over 100 women. The outbreak was due mainly to the lack of cleaning the pedicure equipment properly. In November 2004, a growing number of people in San Jose began complaining about leg lesions and infections on their legs. The current assessment is that 27 salons are involved with over 120 people infected.
There are many Environment Protection Agency registered disinfectant products available to the beauty industry containing the proper enzymatic and surfactant cleaners. AB 1263 will require the use of such disinfectants as well as set up a notification requirement to customers that proper cleaning and disinfection procedures have been followed.
"Clearly this is a public safety issue that needs to be addressed," said Speaker pro Tem Yee. "To prevent another outbreak, I urge the State Senate and the Governor to quickly pass and sign this bill into law."
There are 83,500 manicurists licensed through the state Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. AB 1263 now must be approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee before a full vote of the Senate.
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