Basically an acrylic paint, typical nail polish is harmful to the environment and to consumer and worker health at pretty much every point in its lifecycle – manufacturing, application, use, and disposal. Harmful Chemicals Commonly Found in Nail Polish
The combination of chemicals used to help the color bond and harden to finger nails often include substances that are known neurotoxins, carcinogens, and hormone disrupters. Whether inhaled during manufacturing and application or absorbed through the skin and nails once the polish is applied, these chemicals have adverse effects on health. For more information about chemicals used in nail polish and other cosmetics, see the Environmental Working Groups Skin Deep Cosmetics Safety Database.
Nail polish commonly includes these four major toxic ingredients: toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, and acetate.
Toluene
Toluene is a neurotoxin that is used as a solvent to maintain the liquid base and allows the polish to be brushed onto nails. It also creates the smooth finish and promotes quick drying. This substance can harm the kidneys, liver, and heart of people who inhale large amounts in a short period of time. It can also cause reproductive and developmental problems, lethargy, memory loss, and skin irritation. For more information about toluene, see the National Library of Medicine's Tox Town database.
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
This plastisizer is used to give nail polish flexibility and prevent it from cracking. DBP has been shown to mimic estrogen and disrupt hormones. It can be transferred to fetuses through the mother's blood and is suspected of contaminating breast milk and damaging the kidneys, liver, lungs, and reproductive organs. DBP may also accelerate sexual development in young girls and cause birth deformities like cleft palates and undescended testicles and other reproductive system problems in newborn boys. For more information about phthalates, see the National Library of Medicine's Tox Town database.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a preservative. In nail polish, it acts as a nail hardener and prevents the polish from chipping. Skin contact with this chemical can cause rashes and other skin irritations, while breathing its fumes often leads to coughing and wheezing. It is a known carcinogen and also causes dizziness, headaches, fatigue, and immune dysfunction. For more information about formaldehyde, see the National Library of Medicine's Tox Town database.
Acetate (Ethyl, Butyl, and Amyl)
These solvents are irritating to the skin and are also neurotoxins. amyl acetate can cause central nervous system depression if ingested, perhaps through nail biting, and headaches, fatigue, and chest pain if a person is exposed to high concentrations. butyl acetate is irritating to eyes and is toxic if large amountsare inhaled. Prolonged inhalation of ethyl acetate can also cause kidney and liver damage
Nail polish doesn't paint a pretty picture for health or the environment and you definitely want to stay away from these toxic substances. Fortunately, many nail polish companies have adopted a three free policy by removing the chemicals of most concern, toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalates from their nail polish formulas. For more information, see the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics website. Other companies are going even further and offering acetate-free nail polish options.
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