Women pamper themselves with manicures and pedicures for special occasions or even just for everyday wear. However, women may not know the health hazards related to nail polish. The Northern California Cancer Center and Asian Health Services of Oakland conducted a survey in 2009 on women who work in nail salons. The survey found that although salon workers wear facemasks, they suffered acute health effects from the chemicals and toxins in nail care products. Women, who are exposed to nail polish toxins only briefly at home, may not be at the same risk as salon workers. However, research is ongoing and women at home should still be aware of the health risks.

In fact, the average ingredient list on a bottle of nail polish reads like a laundry list of toxins. Though there are a disturbing number of ingredients in polish that give cause for concern, the big three are formaldehyde, which is used as a hardener and preservative in nail polish and has been named by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to be a human carcinogen; dibutyl phthalate (DBP), which makes polish last longer and has been linked to birth defects; and toluene, which helps nail paint go on smoothly and can damage the nervous and reproductive systems. Worried yet?

The good news is that the beauty industry has taken note of these dangers and answered with several brands, like Zoya, Priti, Butter London, and Sante, that are making “three-free” formulas that do not contain formaldehyde, DBP, or toluene. Furthermore, Boston has taken steps in the past year to improve the health and safety regulations in nail salons throughout the city. The Safe Nail Salons Project, which debuted in 2011 at the hands of the Boston Public Health Commission, set forth stricter regulations for cleaning and reusing supplies, as well as for ventilating the often-tiny shops to avoid exposure to toxins. The rules also mandated that all chemicals used must be properly labeled and stored.

Despite the advances in health regulations, it might not be a bad idea to cut back on your weekly manicure habit, at least until three-free formulas are the norm instead of the exception.

Women pamper themselves with manicures and pedicures for special occasions or even just for everyday wear. However, women may not know the health hazards related to nail polish. The Northern California Cancer Center and Asian Health Services of Oakland conducted a survey in 2009 on women who work in nail salons. The survey found that although salon workers wear facemasks, they suffered acute health effects from the chemicals and toxins in nail care products. Women, who are exposed to nail polish toxins only briefly at home, may not be at the same risk as salon workers. However, research is ongoing and women at home should still be aware of the health risks.

Tina Limbad

(S.Y.D.Pharm.)

Tags: MET Institute of Pharmacy