Painted nails may look glamorous, but ingredients in nail polish could have negative health effects. Some ingredients used in nail polish have been linked to cancer, heart problems, reproductive abnormalities, thyroid disorders and allergies, according to Sonya Lunder, M.P.H., a toxins researcher and senior analyst at the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit research and watchdog organization in Washington, D.C.
Nail polishes are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, but manufacturers aren't required to prove that their products are safe before selling them to consumers, according to the FDA. All ingredients used in nail polish must be listed on the label. Read labels and watch out for certain ingredients.
Toluene
The FDA reports that toluene is used as a solvent in nail polish, which means it helps dissolve other ingredients. It also gives the polish a smooth finish across the nail and keeps the color uniform on the nail, adds Lunder.
Because toluene is released into the air, you could breathe in the fumes. This could result in nervous system problems, irritation of the eyes, throat and lungs, and possibly reproductive abnormalities, according to the National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance.
It should be noted that the FDA evaluated the health effects of toluene in 2005 and deemed it safe for consumers.
Formaldehyde
This chemical is used as a nail-hardening agent and can evaporate into the air, causing you to inhale it. Formaldehyde is known to cause cancer, according to the National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance.
The FDA concludes that formaldehyde may cause allergic reactions. This is most likely to occur if the polish touches the skin, according to the FDA. Most allergic reactions are skin rashes known as dermatitis, but excessive exposure to formaldehyde could increase the risk of asthma, according to Lunder.
If you tend to get allergies, be sure to read the label to see if the nail polish contains formaldehyde.
Dibutyl Phthalate
Dibutyl phthalate, or DBP, is used in nail polish to provide a moisturizing sheen and to prevent chipping, notes the FDA. Exposure to dibutyl phthalate can affect thyroid function, and has been linked to reproductive problems in baby boys when pregnant women are exposed to the chemical, according to the National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance.
In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, measured the phthalate levels in the urine of over 2,600 people and found that phthalates were widespread in this sampling of American adults. Compared to men, the CDC found that women were found to have higher amounts of the type of phthalate used in cosmetics.
Acetone
Ethyl acetate and butyl acetate are acetones often used as solvents in nail polishes. "It's believed that prolonged exposure to the fumes of these chemicals can lead to problems with the heart, lungs and liver," Lunder says. Ethyl acetate and butyl acetate are used in nail polishes because they help the polish harden and dry quickly.
Acetone is also extremely flammable. The FDA states that some nail polishes can catch fire if exposed to the pilot light of a stove, a lit cigarette or the heat of a curling iron. It's wise to keep all nail polishes away from flames and heat to avoid getting burned, Lunder advises. Read labels and heed the warnings.
Member Comments