Is Your Nail Polish Putting Your Health At Risk?

For many women, a beautiful coat of nail polish is the perfect finishing touch that pulls any outfit together.

But would you be willing to risk your health for a fresh layer of color on your finger nails?

Believe it or not, a few of the critical ingredients inside nail polish have actually been linked to allergies, thyroid disorders, heart problems, reproductive abnormalities, and even cancer.

The idea of nail polish as a dangerous substance began making waves in 2006, when public health advocates started a nationwide protest concerning the “toxic trio”— formaldehyde, toluene, and plasticizer dibutyl phthalate.

Although nail polishes are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), manufacturers aren’t actually required to prove their products are safe before selling them to consumers.

Many companies voluntarily removed this noxious mixture from their nail polishes after word got out that the ingredients were potentially harmful.

But, don’t get too excited just yet. The New York Times reported that a 2012 investigation by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control found that some of these companies merely changed the label—not the ingredients—of the nail polish.

Figuring out which nail polishes are safe to buy may be a little tricky, but here are the three ingredients you should look out for:

1. Formaldehyde: Used as a hardening agent in many leading nail polish brands, formaldehyde is a well-known carcinogen that can evaporate into the air—putting you at risk for inhaling this toxic chemical. The FDA also warns that formaldehyde has a reputation for causing serious allergic reactions, especially when the chemical touches the skin. While most of these reactions are simply skin rashes, known as dermatitis, regular exposure to formaldehyde may put you at risk for asthma.
2. Toluene: Often used in nail polish as a solvent, meaning it helps dissolve other ingredients, toluene can also be released into the air. Breathing these toxic fumes could result in irritation of the eyes, throat, and lungs, nervous system problems, and even reproductive abnormalities. If you’re not sure whether or not toluene is in your nail polish, keep in mind that this particular ingredient also gives the polish the appearance of a smooth finish across the nail.
3. Plasticizer dibutyl phthalate: DBP is generally used in nail polish to provide a moisturizing sheen and prevent chipping, according to the FDA. Exposure to dibutyl phthalate may be especially harmful to pregnant women. This chemical has been linked to thyroid problems and reproductive abnormalities in women pregnant with baby boys, according to the National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance. In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) measured the phthalate levels in the urine of more than 2,600 people. What they found was that women had higher amounts of the type of phthalate used in cosmetics, compared to men.

It should be noted that the European Union has already banned the use of DPA in all cosmetics, while the USFDA has yet to take any extreme measures.

This doesn’t mean you should ban nail polish from your home completely, but some groups may be more susceptible to the harmful effects of the “toxic trio” than others.

Janet Nudelman, co-founder of the advocacy group Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, explained to the Tribune that parents and nail polish technicians should keep an eye out for nail-biting children.

If you’re still feeling skeptical about a certain nail polish, check out this database on the Environmental Working Group website, which provides you with a helpful list of the safest brands out there.

Did you know about any of these harmful effects of nail polish? Tell us in the comments!

Photo Copyright © 2012 Neil Milne/Flickr