“Immigrants take some of the most dangerous jobs and are exposed to conditions that can literally kill them, if not destroy their health,’’ Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, said in a statement. “We focused on the nail salon workers who, as a class, have been grossly exploited and exposed to dangerous chemicals without any protection. These new ventilation requirements will make nail salons in New York the safest in the nation.”

With each dab of polish, slick of topcoat and swipe of acetone-soaked cotton balls, the manicure process entails a slurry of chemicals that make painted nails shiny, durable and removable. But many of those chemicals are known irritants to airways, eyes and skin, and some are tied to more serious ailments such as miscarriage, harm to a fetus and even cancer.

Nail salons, new and existing, will be required to have ventilation that complies with the 2015 International Mechanical Code, a voluntary standard set by the International Code Council, an organization that devises minimum safety standards for workplaces and other spaces. There are approximately 5,000 salons in New York State. Salons that do not comply risk fines and possible loss of their license. (No data exists for how many salons currently have ventilation.)

When Nail Spa on Downing opened in the West Village in Manhattan last year, the ventilation duct that runs across its ceiling and the vents in the walls were as central an aspect as the pedicure chairs and waxing rooms. “It’s a must,” said Hui Jie Li, the receptionist, who applauded the new mandate. “It’s good for us; it’s good for our customers.”

In a text message, Donald Yu, the director of the Korean American Nail Salon Association, said that the organization was “still finding the facts” on the ventilation issue, and that it was too early to reach a conclusion on its impact on the industry. He added that the “nail salon association will cooperate with the state to improve nail salon environment, whether it’s ventilation or any other matter.”